The University of Mary Washington dedicated its Dahlgren Campus Center for Education and Research, the university’s third campus, during a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 17.
The campus, designed to support the advanced educational needs of the professionals on and near the Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren, includes classroom space, an executive conference room and a multipurpose room that seats more than 200 people. The two-story, 42,000-square-foot facility opened in January. Construction began during the summer of 2010.
Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and 28th District Delegate William J. Howell noted that UMW’s Dahlgren campus dovetails with Virginia’s commitment to the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines.
“The campus will contribute much to the future vitality of the region,” Howell said.
Congressman Rob Wittman echoed that the Dahlgren Center represents a vision of state and community collaboration.
“Today that vision is coming to light,” he said.
The dedication ceremony also included remarks from Capt. Gary Shoman, commander of the Joint Warfare Analysis Center; Dale Sisson, Jr., vice-chairman of the King George County Board of Supervisors; and Rosalyn Hobson Hargrave, associate dean for graduate studies at the VCU School of Engineering and chair of the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program. Mark J. Safferstone, executive director of the Dahlgren campus; Daniel K. Steen ’84, rector; and President Richard V. Hurley gave remarks on behalf of UMW.
“My belief is that, for the University of Mary Washington to truly fulfill its mission as a great public university, it must connect meaningfully with its regional partners in the business, military and educational communities,” said Hurley. “UMW can serve as a catalyst and convener to bring the players together and forge creative solutions to regional problems and challenges. I believe that the Dahlgren Campus Center for Education and Research is an important and living symbol of this commitment.”
Four Virginia public universities currently offer Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program video teleconference-based graduate engineering courses, including George Mason, Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth and Virginia Tech, as well as the Naval Postgraduate School. The Naval War College currently offers its Fleet Seminar Program and Germanna and Rappahannock community colleges are expected to provide courses later this year.
In addition to its educational role, the facility also is specifically designed to meet the needs of educational, business and professional events, including meetings, seminars and conferences.
The Dahlgren campus was designed and constructed to meet at least LEED Silver certification requirements, meaning the building meets stringent requirements for green design, construction and operations. Among many green features, the building has a geothermal heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, a vegetative roof that minimizes storm water runoff and offers designated parking for low emission vehicles and car poolers.
Would like to receive information regarding your new campus at Dahlgren. As the president of the Council of Logistics Engineering Professionals, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, we are looking at various locations in the Mid-Atlantic area where we could hold conferences and training. I recently heard that your facility might be available for such events. Please respond if so. I would also be interested in facility (rental) cost and a floor plan.
Regards,
Bill Horne