ERIC Officially Opens at the University of Memphis

Research Hub to be Home for Innovation and Collaboration Among Colleges

September 4, 2024 — On a rainy yet festive day at the corner of Central and Zach Curlin on the University of Memphis campus, a number of students, faculty, staff, supporters and UofM Board of Trustees members gathered as the ribbon was cut on the new Edwards Research and Innovation Center (ERIC), a ceremonial moment ushering in a new era of innovation through interdisciplinary academics and research.

“My family and I are humbled by the recognition of our contribution to this,” said Trustee Douglas Edwards, the building’s namesake. “Our participation to this project came as a result of our belief that our great city deserves a great university, and a great university must have a robust commitment to research.”

A state-of-the-art building, ERIC will house a variety of STEM centers and labs from the Herff College of Engineering and the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS).

At 65,000 square feet, ERIC will be the hub for the collection of academic disciplines that will  develop economic opportunities, find solutions to the grand challenges we face as a nation, a planet and a people (water, food, energy, security, health and healthcare), and create new jobs for generations to come.  

Since opening its doors in 1964, the Herff College of Engineering has been preparing students to be life-changing engineers and impacting the quality of life around the world in a wealth of ways.

At ERIC, students and faculty from the Herff College and the CAS can collaborate to address societal changes and help students compete on the world stage in scientific and engineering innovation.

Richard Sweigard, who was dean of Herff for approximately 10 years and spearheaded the development of the new ERIC building, will be honored with a new floor in his name. He was very student centric and, as a gift, Herff Advisory Council members donated money in his honor to name the student services floor after him.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Godwin
Director of Media and Public Relations
jennifer.godwin@memphis.edu
(O) 901.678.4822 (M) 501.529.7482