“More than a check for a building site.” That is what Kevin Harkenrider, Viasat’s executive vice president, called Viasat’s commitment to CSUSM. Welcome to the Viasat Engineering Pavilion. Here, at Cal State San Marcos, a vision took shape. It was a vision fueled by the need for more engineers in San Diego’s North County.
In 2015, an analysis highlighted this demand. CSUSM stepped up to meet this challenge. They partnered with Viasat. This partnership led to the creation of the Viasat Engineering Pavilion. Viasat invested $1.5 million. This investment made them the founding partner of CSUSM’s engineering program.
The Viasat Engineering Pavilion stands as a testament to this collaboration. It provides a space for innovation and learning. The pavilion features renovated classrooms and labs. New equipment and instrumentation enhance the learning experience.
The Viasat Engineering Pavilion is not just a building. It is a hub for future engineers. It supports the work of faculty and students. This cultivates the next generation of talented engineers. Viasat’s CEO, Mark Dankberg, expressed his excitement. He stated that Viasat was honored to be a founding partner. Viasat believes that such partnerships foster innovation, inspiration, and growth.
CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt highlighted the importance of the partnership. She noted that the best ideas could be brought in and built from the ground up. She emphasized community partnership. She mentioned that they are building a premier engineering program.
The Viasat Engineering Pavilion found its home in the former Foundation Classroom Building. This building once housed CSUSM’s Extended Learning program. After renovations, it now houses the CSTEM Engineering Department. These spaces include administration and faculty offices. There are also classrooms for software and electrical engineering programs.
The first renovation phase finished in August 2019. It created collaborative spaces and engineering labs. The second phase was completed in February 2020. This added office spaces, the Hunter Design Lab, and the Nordson Innovation Lab.
Hunter Industries and Nordson Electronic Solutions supported the Viasat Engineering Pavilion. They each pledged $100,000 to CSUSM’s engineering program. These contributions funded the innovation labs. The Hunter Design Lab and the Nordson Innovation Lab were named in dedication to their respective companies.
However, the pavilion’s opening faced an unexpected hurdle. The original ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic forced its postponement. From August 2020 to June 2021, the Viasat Engineering Pavilion served as a walk-up COVID-19 testing site for San Diego County.
Finally, on March 11, 2022, the grand opening celebration took place. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the occasion. It celebrated the culmination of vision, partnership, and perseverance. The Viasat Engineering Pavilion now stands as a symbol of what can be achieved through collaboration and dedication to education.