The University of San Diego’s Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering has received a $10 million gift from La Jolla residents Rafaela and John Belanich for state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and student innovation spaces.
Upon completion of extensive renovation of the Loma and Guadalupe Halls and an annex building, the new facilities will be named the Belanich Engineering Center in honor of the gift.
“We are deeply grateful for Rafaela’s and John’s transformative gift to provide cutting-edge facilities offering students the opportunity to be changemakers for innovation, social justice and peace,” said Chell Roberts, dean of the school.
Plans for the 74,500-square-foot engineering complex also include spaces for industry collaboration, conference rooms, and faculty and administration offices.
Rafaela Belanich graduated from the University of San Diego, and her husband, John, is an engineer and real estate developer. The couple have given to many institutions, including the La Jolla Music Society for The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center.
Currently ranked 12th in the nation for non-doctoral-granting engineering programs by U.S. News & World Report, the school offers a dual bachelor of science/bachelor of arts degree to develop graduates with solid technical, communication and problem-solving skills.