ATTENTION: PHOTO/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS.
ANN ARBOR—Duct tape—the essential item in any cutting-edge engineering project—will be used as the symbolic ribbon to be cut Thursday, Sept. 9, for the dedication of the new Walter E. Wilson Student Team Project Center at the University of Michigan College of Engineering.

The $5 million Wilson Center is a new idea in engineering education, and represents the University’s commitment to teaching teamwork as well as the nuts and bolts of engineering. The 10,000-square-foot facility has been specially remodeled and adapted for use by teams in engineering competitions like the solar car, solar boat, various alternative-fuel and high-performance race cars, and human-powered helicopters and submarines. Several of these projects will be on hand at the dedication.

Students will be showing off the new state-of-the-art computer design labs, machine shop, paint booth, welding booth and assembly space for their exotic projects. Corporate partners have donated more than $325,000 worth of tools, computers and equipment to support the student teams.

The Center will be dedicated at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 in a public ceremony featuring team leaders and their projects. Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering Stephen W. Director and University President Lee C. Bollinger also will speak. Media and public are welcome to attend, and refreshments will follow. Tours of the facility begin at 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION: The Walter E. Wilson Student Team Project Center is on U-M’s North Campus at 2603 Draper, immediately east of the Fran