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Peter and Geri Skirkanich Donate $10 Million for Bioengineering
University Trustee and Penn Engineering Overseer J. Peter Skirkanich, W'65, and his wife, Geri, have given what President Judith Rodin called an extraordinary "vote of
confidence" to Penn's bioengineering efforts. Their $10 million pledge will build Skirkanich Hall, a 58,400-square-foot bioengineering
laboratory facility.
The gift is the largest by an individual donor in the history of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Engineering Dean Eduardo Glandt, GCH'75, GR'77, praised the Skirkaniches for their generosity and vision, which "have provided Penn Engineering with the opportunity to grow and prosper like never before in its history."
With its strengths in engineering and medicine, Penn is well poised to be a leader in the rapidly progressing field of bioengineering. As President Rodin points out, "Close collaboration between the engineering and medical school faculty at the University of Pennsylvania provides a huge basis for these efforts."
For Peter Skirkanich, who believes that investments in bioengineering and biomedical engineering will yield path-breaking achievements in medicine and health, the close collaboration is essential.
"Engineers and physicians working together will have a direct impact on the health and
welfare of individuals," Mr. Skirkanich said. "With aging populations around the world, that work takes on added significance."
Penn recognized long ago the tremendous promise of bioengineering and was one of the first universities to award a degree in the field. Today Penn Engineering's partnership with the School of Medicine exposes students to open-heart surgery, epilepsy treatments, and other procedures that rely on technology in what Glandt calls "the ultimate field trip for bioengineers."
"Bringing biology into the pool of engineering sciences and applying engineering tools to what's needed in medicine are two important strategic directions for Penn Engineering," said Dean Glandt. "We've had this vision for many years."
Skirkanich Hall, which will be located near the Penn School of Medicine, will house faculty, staff, students, and researchers as part of the School's $57 million bioengineering initiative.
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Peter and Geri Skirkanich
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