On Friday, January 17, 2020, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and students gathered outside of the Flowers Invention Studio to honor Dr. Bill Wepfer for his years of service and celebrate the completion of the Wepfer Design Commons. Construction of the Wepfer Design Commons, which includes the Montgomery Machining Mall, Flowers Invention Studio, IDEA Lab, and Electronics Lab, began during Dr. Wepfer's tenure as Chair of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and was completed in 2019.
Dr. Amit Jariwala, who oversees the space, opened the celebration and was followed by Dr. Samuel Graham, Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. School Chair who thanked donors for their support of the school's commitment to providing students with unparalleled resources to design, test, and build almost anything they can conceive of. Mr. Keith Chambless spoke on behalf of the School's external advisory board and alumni, followed by Dr. Wepfer who expressed his appreciation for the celebration and the contributions of those who made the Design Commons possible. Prior to the unveiling of a commemorative plaque Dr. Wepfer was presented with a unique Buzz statue made in the Flowers Invention Studio. Attendees were also given coaster keepsakes which were also made in the Design Commons. The event concluded with a reception and tours of the facilities.
