Pitt's School of Engineering Unveils The John C. Mascaro Learning Center

PITTSBURGH Sept. 13 -- The University of Pittsburgh's School of Engineering will dedicate its newest high-tech classroom, the John C. Mascaro Learning Center, at 4 p.m. Thursday, September 14, in room 921 Benedum Hall.

The Mascaro Learning Center is named after one of Pitt's most prominent alumni, John C. Mascaro, president and chief executive officer of Mascaro Construction Company, L. P., a multi-faceted regional general contracting and construction company.

This classroom incorporates state-of-the-art equipment for an interactive learning environment. In addition, this classroom showcases "green construction" principles, a reflection of Pitt's new Green Construction and Manufacturing Program, which was funded through a $2 million grant from the Heinz Endowments.

"We are most grateful to John Mascaro for his personal generosity and his commitment to seeing the project through to its fruition," said Gerald Holder, dean of Pitt's engineering school. "The use of active learning techniques in the classroom and development of team skills will help prepare our graduates to perform effectively and capably upon graduation.

"This Learning Center also provides the Civil and Environmental Department with the tools and the direction to produce better engineers—engineers who are not only sound in theoretical concepts, but who are proficient in the application of the theory for the solution of real world problems," Holder added.

Mascaro earned both his B.S. (1966 ) and M.S. (1980) in Civil Engineering at Pitt. A Pittsburgh native, Mascaro began his career as an estimator with Mellon Stuart Construction in 1969.

Among his professional and community affiliations, Mascaro is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers. He is president of the Master Builders Association and is chairman of the School of Engineering's Construction Management Industry Advisory Board. He was named Distinguished Alumnus for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1995.

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