Construction began June 14 at MSOE for the university’s new Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall. Mortenson is serving as the construction manager and several MSOE alumni are leading the project:  

• Rob Myers ’98 AE, construction executive
• James Ring ’18 CM, field engineer
• Laura Rudolph ’09 AE/MSEV, MEP manager/data center specialist
• Jessie Schaefer ’14 CM, CM estimator
• Mark Schulz ’98 MET, MEP design phase manager
• Alice Westphal ’01 MET, superintendent
• Thomas Winchell ’15 AE, project engineer  

They are joined by Danny O’Brien, project manager. In addition, Brianne Harris, an MSOE senior majoring in construction management, is interning on the project.  

Mortenson is working in concert with Uihlein/Wilson—Ramlow/Stein Architects, who are serving as project developers, and a team of MSOE faculty and staff throughout the construction. The $34 million project is scheduled for completion before the Fall 2019 academic year.  

Diercks Hall will provide MSOE faculty and students with a space to apply AI and computational science to enhance the current disciplines of study at the university: engineering, business, mathematics, nursing and user experience.  

“MSOE changed the course of my life and my career, and has a special place in my heart,” said MSOE Regent and alumnus Dr. Dwight Diercks ’90. “Just as the modern computer transformed technology 30 years ago, AI will transform technology as we know it for the next generation and across all industries. My wife Dian and I wanted to give MSOE a gift that would position this incredible university as a major application-focused computer science and artificial intelligence center for the Midwest and U.S. for years to come.”  

About Mortenson

Founded in 1954, Mortenson is a U.S.-based, privately held development and construction services company. As one of the nation's top builders, Mortenson provides a complete range of services, including planning, program management, preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, and design-build. Mortenson’s development services include feasibility analysis, financing and ownership, site acquisition, project planning, project implementation, and property and facility management.  

Mortenson's Milwaukee office has been a staple in the Milwaukee community for nearly 30 years and is currently building the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, the new home of the Milwaukee Bucks. Additionally, we are working with customers including Kohler Company, Aurora Health Care, WisDOT, and Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Mortenson's Milwaukee operations employs more than 110 craftworkers and 100 professional team members. In addition to Milwaukee, Mortenson has offices in Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver, Fargo, Iowa City, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, Seattle, and Washington DC with international operations in Canada. For more information, visit mortenson.com/milwaukee.