The University of Nevada, Reno College of Engineering will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday to dedicate the new James E. Rogers and Louis Wiener Jr. Large Scale Structures Laboratory.
The new laboratory gives the college the second-largest university-based structures laboratory in the nation. The expansion adds 2,800 square feet of area, making the total floor area 8,400 square feet.
The laboratory is unique for its twin 50-ton shake tables which can simulate very large earthquakes. The expansion will permit an increase in the number and diversity of research projects that can be undertaken by students and faculty.
A gift of $750,000 from James Rogers, chief executive officer of Sunbelt Communications Co., made the expansion possible, said engineering Dean Ted Batchman.
The laboratory's other namesake is the late Louis Wiener Jr., who was a Las Vegas lawyer and benefactor. Wiener was a long-time friend and business partner of Rogers. Wiener's daughter, State Sen. Valerie Wiener, will be among the speakers at the dedication along with U.S. Sen. Harry Reid.