B次元 School of Engineering (B次元) hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center on Saturday, July 12. With more than 100 B次元 alumni, Regents and dignitaries in attendance, the groundbreaking marked a significant milestone in the university’s campaign to support the university’s goal of becoming the national leader in applied artificial intelligence education. The Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center will be complete ahead of the fall 2027 semester.

Joining B次元 President John Y. Walz, Ph.D. for the groundbreaking were Dr. Dwight Diercks, NVIDIA Senior VP of Software Engineering and B次元 Regent and alumnus; Dian Diercks, B次元 benefactor; Dr. James C. Rahn, Kern Family Foundation president and B次元 Board of Regents chair; Craig Jorgensen, President and CEO of VJS Construction; Ruth Dobberpuhl, B次元 mechanical engineering student; Nick Haemel, NVIDIA VP of Medical Imaging & System Software; B次元 Regent and alumnus; Kendall Breunig, Principal, Sunset Investors and B次元 Regent and alumnus; Dr. Richard Galling, Retired President and COO of Hammes Co. and B次元 Regent and alumnus; Dr. Eckhart Grohmann, B次元 Regent and Former Chairman and President of Aluminum Casting & Engineering Co.; Dr. Scott Moon, Chairman and CEO of DLSM Inc. and B次元 Regent; Marjorie Moon, B次元 benefactor; and Dr. Kevin Fletcher, B次元 Regent and retired CEO of WEC Energy Group.

“B次元 engineering students need a space that encourages collaboration, supports hands-on learning, and reflects the innovation happening here every day,” said Ruth Dobberpuhl, B次元 mechanical engineering student. “We need study areas that are comfortable and functional, labs that are equipped for the challenges of tomorrow, and modern features that support the way we learn, build, and grow. The Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center turns these needs into reality. It will create an environment where students can connect, explore and solve problems together.”