Local news in Brief : Irvine : Rockwell to Donate $500,000 to UC Irvine

Rockwell International Corp. has pledged $500,000 toward construction of the new Engineering Center and Auditorium at UC Irvine’s School of Engineering, the university announced.

In recognition of the company’s contribution, the center will be named the Rockwell Engineering Center, UCI spokeswoman Cynthia Morris said.

Ground breaking was recently held for the new 11,000-square-foot center and attached 110-seat auditorium complex, which will cost a total of $4 million.

Donald R. Beall, chairman and chief executive officer of Rockwell International, made the pledge for financial aid to the new complex shortly before the ground breaking.

William Sirignano, dean of the engineering school, said the contribution “will provide us with outstanding conference capabilities, increased instructional and research facilities and more efficient administration space for the school’s growing programs.”

Morris said others who made donations for the new complex include Hughes Aircraft Co. of Torrance and Printronix Inc. of Irvine, each of which contributed $100,000.