University of Florida Dedicates New Science and Engineering Building Renovated with $3 Million Donation from Harris Corporation

MELBOURNE, Fla., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Two new high-technology learning centers for students – one made possible by a $3 million gift from Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) and the other outfitted with the company's advanced broadcasting equipment – were opened September 23 and 24 at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville.  

On Thursday, September 23, representatives from Harris and UF's College of Engineering dedicated the renovated Computer and Information Science and Engineering building.  Part of the $3 million gift from the Harris Foundation was used to renovate the third floor of the building, which has been named the Harris Gateway to Learning and Innovation.  

The gift also established the Dean's Excellence Endowment Fund and the Research Excellence Fund in Computer Science and Engineering – both designed to support innovative research in the field of computer science and engineering – as well as the Pramond P. Khargonekar Junior Faculty Award for Excellence, intended to help attract and retain outstanding faculty.

On Friday, September 24, UF held the grand opening of its new 21st Century News Laboratory, which is part of the College of Journalism and Communications' Center for Media Innovation and Research. The lab is equipped with the latest high-definition production and broadcasting equipment from Harris, which also assisted in the design of the new facility.

The lab enables students to train in a fully networked, multimedia environment typical of today's commercial broadcasting operations.  In a single facility, students now can create content for print, television, radio and the web – giving them real-world, on-the-job training that will help them succeed in their careers.

"It is imperative that we provide students the latest tools and learning facilities to prepare them to hit the ground running when they join the high-tech workforce," said Kent Buchanan, chief technology officer at Harris.  "These new facilities will help the University of Florida recruit the type of outstanding faculty and students so necessary to maintain a vital and growing state economy."

"Harris has shown great commitment to UF, and the company has a lot of vision directed toward growing the state's high-technology economy," said UF President Bernie Machen,   "We are pleased to partner with Harris on these high-technology learning centers, and we look forward to more productive collaborations in the future."

A photo is available at the following link:  UF Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Over the past four years, the Harris Foundation has made contributions, grants and pledges to support higher education in science, math and engineering totaling more than $9 million.  Harris also sponsors, and its employees participate in, a variety of programs designed to strengthen the quality of life in the countries and communities where the company has operations.  During the past year, Harris donated more than $4.3 million to nonprofit organizations and its employees volunteered more than 54,000 hours in their communities.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries.  Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.  Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.  Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

SOURCE Harris Corporation