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| Donald Coduto works on a computer in the Sustainable Land Development Laboratory. |
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| President Michael Ortiz speaks with donors during dedication ceremony. |
Civil engineering students will have more opportunities than ever to learn about environmentally-friendly land development design practices in the new Sustainable Land Development Laboratory.
The specialized computer lab, which is completely funded by outside donations, will support a range of courses, including Engineering Hydrology, Subdivision Design, Highway Design, Environmental Resource Systems and senior projects.
“As the name suggests, the focus of the lab is on developing or redeveloping land in a way that serves present needs, while minimizing the environmental impact,” said Donald Coduto, professor and chair of the Civil Engineering department.
On March 8, the College of Engineering hosted a dedication of the new lab and gave thanks to the generous donors.
“It is really the support of industry that helps us stay on the cutting edge,” university President Michael Ortiz said during the dedication. “This lab is a real testament of industry's support of engineering education.”
Irvine-based RBF Consulting is the lab's biggest donor. The civil engineering firm regularly hires Cal Poly Pomona graduates. Nearly 60 alumni work for the company, and they are always looking to scout new recruits.
“We look to Cal Poly Pomona as a resource for bringing up new engineers, so we like to support the university,” said RBF Consulting Senior Vice President Doug Abramson. “The entire engineering community benefits from well-prepared graduates.”
The lab, which is located in Building 17, is outfitted with 29 computer workstations. The computers are loaded with a wide range of civil engineering analysis and design software that students may use to study the practices of sustainable design.
Students will use the lab for a variety of projects. For example, students could work on ways to remove pollutants from storm water runoff before they can contaminate rivers or other natural water features.
With the exception of Metropolitan Water District, the lab's donors are local civil engineering firms that work on land development projects. The donors are:
Gold Donor:
- RBF Consulting
Silver Donors:
- Psomas
- Tait & Associates
Bronze Donors:
- Hall & Foreman
- AEI-CASC Consulting
- Fuscoe Engineering
- Hunsaker & Associates
- Land Design Consultants
- Provost & Pritchard
- Greenberg Farrow
- Domenigoni Barton Properties
- Metropolitan Water District
Donor:
- Penfield & Smith