A $2 million gift from A. Neil and Jane Pappalardo has made it possible for MIT to extensively renew and modernize the Department of Mechanical Engineering's undergraduate laboratories on the ground floor of Building 3. The new space now is named the Neil and Jane Pappalardo Engineering Laboratories.
Mr. and Mrs. Pappalardo were the guests of MIT at a reception and official dedication of the space on Friday, Feb. 10. Professor Nam P. Suh, department head, was the host. President and Mrs. Charles M. Vest and Provost Mark S. Wrighton also attended.
The three core laboratories in the space support about 600 students each term. Richard R. Fener, manager of engineering services and facilities for the department, oversaw the renewal work and will continue to be responsible for the operation of the laboratories.
Mr. Pappalardo, who received the SB in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT in 1964, is the founder of Medical Information Technology, one of the earliest software companies. As president and CEO, he has guided Meditech to become a leading supplier of information systems to hospitals. The company employs more than 1,000 people.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on February 15, 1995.
