MSOE holds ceremonial groundbreaking for new Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center on Saturday, July 12. With more than 100 MSOE alumni, Regents and dignitaries in attendance, the groundbreaking marked a significant milestone in the university’s “Next Bold Step” 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 MSOE President John Y. Walz, Ph.D. for the groundbreaking were Dr. Dwight Diercks, NVIDIA Senior VP of Software Engineering and MSOE Regent and alumnus; Dian Diercks, MSOE benefactor; Dr. James C. Rahn, Kern Family Foundation president and MSOE Board of Regents chair; Craig Jorgensen, President and CEO of VJS Construction; Ruth Dobberpuhl, MSOE mechanical engineering student; Nick Haemel, NVIDIA VP of Medical Imaging & System Software; MSOE Regent and alumnus; Kendall Breunig, Principal, Sunset Investors and MSOE Regent and alumnus; Dr. Richard Galling, Retired President and COO of Hammes Co. and MSOE Regent and alumnus; Dr. Eckhart Grohmann, MSOE Regent and Former Chairman and President of Aluminum Casting & Engineering Co.; Dr. Scott Moon, Chairman and CEO of DLSM Inc. and MSOE Regent; Marjorie Moon, MSOE benefactor; and Dr. Kevin Fletcher, MSOE Regent and retired CEO of WEC Energy Group.
“MSOE engineering students need a space that encourages collaboration, supports hands-on learning, and reflects the innovation happening here every day,” said Ruth Dobberpuhl, MSOE 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.”
Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center Groundbreaking
MSOE leadership, benefactors and Regents participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the university’s new Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center.
MSOE students at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center.
MSOE Regents Woodie Adkins, Managing Partner of Adkins Holdings LLC, and Kevin Fletcher, Retired CEO of WEC Energy Group
MSOE Regents Woodie Adkins, Managing Partner of Adkins Holdings LLC, and Kendall Breunig, Principal of Sunset Investors
MSOE President John Walz, Ph.D., addresses the crowd at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center.
MSOE President John Walz, Ph.D., addresses the crowd at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center.
Dr. James C. Rahn, Chair of the MSOE Board of Regents and President of the Kern Family Foundation, addresses the crowd at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center.
Dr. Dwight Diercks, MSOE Regent and Senior VP of Software Engineering at NVIDIA, addresses the crowd at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center.
Ruth Dobberpuhl, MSOE Mechanical Engineering Student, addresses the crowd at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center.
The Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center will be located at the corners of Milwaukee and State Streets on MSOE’s campus in downtown Milwaukee. The new facility will be connected to the Allen-Bradley Hall of Science and the Fred Loock Engineering Center, bringing MSOE’s engineering disciplines together under one roof. The facility will promote innovative modes of education and support the growing needs of MSOE’s students.
“Students will be building, testing and solving real-world problems from the moment they walk in,” said Dr. John Y. Walz, MSOE president. “It’s not just about classrooms and laboratories – it’s about creating a space where ideas can flourish, and where students can develop the MSOE Mindset.”
One of the centerpieces of the $76.5 million, 4-story, 97,000-square-foot academic building will be the new Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence Education. This initiative will anchor MSOE’s efforts to infuse AI learning across every engineering discipline, attract top-tier faculty and foster partnerships with industry. The building will also have flexible labs, modern classrooms, workshops focused on robotics and AI, an outdoor sustainability lab and public spaces that support collaborative learning across all disciplines, with a focus on integrating AI and machine learning into all of MSOE’s engineering programs. It will serve as a dynamic home for students and faculty to rethink what’s possible in engineering.
“Bringing these disciplines together in one collaborative environment fosters innovation, interdisciplinary learning and real-world problem solving,” said Dr. James C. Rahn, Kern Family Foundation president and MSOE Board of Regents chair. “This facility will be a hub for the MSOE community to gather and explore endless possibilities together.”
Ramlow/Stein Architecture + Interiors will serve as project developers and VJS Construction is the construction manager.