In January, Geoffrey Orsak, dean of the Lyle School of Engineering, announced the school had received more than 1,000 applicants for its fall class — a record number.
As interest grows in SMU’s engineering programs the school and its donors have risen to meet the challenge.
The Lyle School’s new Caruth Hall will help students further their engineering education while broadening their leadership skills. Caruth will also act as an outreach center for the Lyle School.
The Hillcrest Foundation Amphitheater unites both wings of the building.
According to Jay Meister, senior project manager from the Office of Planning, Design and Construction, the amphitheater “will be a major social space for events and functions for the university community,” and that Caruth Hall was constructed with “the student in mind.”
“The building has a very open feel and gives an atmosphere intended to foster student interactions and dialogue with their peers,” he said.
Meister said the building, which is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold certified, a measure of green building standards, also features elements that can only be found here at SMU.
“It incorporates a state-of-the-art conference room,” he said. “This room is the only space on campus that allows students to practice presentations in a conference room and receive direct feedback on their performance.”
The building sits on the site of the original Caruth Hall, which was home to SMU engineering for 60 years, and several design elements from the original building are incorporated into the new building.  The four lanterns that hang in the amphitheater were used to light up the entrances in the original building. Also, the Legacy Lounge incorporates bricks from the original exterior and other materials used on the original east entrance into its design.
Orsak said the new Caruth Hall, at more than 64,000 ft, is one of the most ambitious teaching and learning facilities at SMU.