Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) on formally opened an office at the Convergence Center in Discovery Park District at Purdue to establish a permanent presence near campus and reaffirm its recent $1 million commitment to the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
Caterpillar, a longtime corporate supporter of the university, made its gift to the Polytechnic Institute – which was first announced in December 2021 – to name a laboratory in the former Engineering and Polytechnic Gateway Complex, now called Dudley Hall and Lambertus Hall. The newly named Caterpillar Smart Foundry represents a cornerstone element of the Purdue Polytechnic Smart Learning Factory.
“We envision these two new buildings as a flagship component of Purdue’s growing campus landscape,” said Daniel Castro-Lacouture, dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. “This collaboration with Caterpillar will help transform our concept into reality. It gives us one more piece of an innovative project that we believe represents a leading design for teaching, learning, research and engagement on a university campus.”
The new office at Convergence represents Caterpillar’s first official presence near Purdue’s campus. The company, which has a facility in Lafayette, is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.
“For decades, Caterpillar has had a successful relationship with Purdue University,” said Karl Weiss, senior vice president of the Integrated Components and Solutions Division at Caterpillar. “This relationship strengthens and aligns the innovative capabilities of both organizations involved by allowing new ideas and knowledge to easily flow from initial research into application.”
Image Caption:
From left, Karl Weiss, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Caterpillar, Purdue President Mung Chiang and Paul Rivera, vice president of LPSD Operations, Caterpillar’s Lafayette Plant, celebrate Caterpillar’s permanent presence at Purdue. (Purdue for Life Foundation photo/Brayden Williams.)
