SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The University of San Diego is scheduled to dedicate its new engineering school Thursday morning.
The Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering was established by a $20 million donation from philanthropist Darlene Shiley, whose late husband, Donald, created an artificial heart valve that revolutionized heart surgery.
"We envision a school committed to innovation and entrepreneurship that will work closely with San Diego's high-tech community to contribute to the region's growth and vitality,'' said Chell Roberts, who will be the school's first dean.
Even though the USD engineering program is highly regarded, its classes had been conducted under the College of Business Administration. Roberts said he wants the undergraduate program to be one of the nation's top 10.
"Our goal is ambitious but one we can achieve it by developing new facilities for students to invent and design, adding new courses in biotechnology and sustainability and by partnering with industry and government,'' Roberts said.
The engineering program has 360 students and 20 faculty members, according to USD.
