Arun Somani, distinguished professor and chair of the department of electrical and computer engineering, wanted something “spectacular” for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new addition to Coover Hall.

The humanoid robot torso, constructed by assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering Alexander Stoytchev with help from his students was a definite crowd-pleaser.

There were cheers and laughs from the crowd as the robot carefully and accurately cut the ribbon, and then waved, before being wheeled back into the building.

The ribbon cutting, held Thursday night on the lawn in front of the College of Design, marked the formal dedication of Phase I of the new addition to Coover Hall.

Many students have already become familiar with the addition, as the labs and classrooms opened this semester after a two-year construction process.

Somani said the new building will help to recruit and maintain new personnel.

“With new and better facilities, like we have now, we can assure candidates that Iowa State can provide them with the resources and tools they need for research,” Somani said.

The 23,000 square feet addition cost $16.5 million, with $8.25 million coming from revenue bonds authorized and paid for by the Iowa Legislature, said David Miles, president of the Iowa Board of Regents.

Phase I of the Coover Hall addition was always intended to be student centric, Somani said.

Although there was no new faculty space constructed, there were improvements to classrooms, with projectors and podiums for electronic presentation and additional labs were built, he said.

Coover Hall, constructed in 1950, is outdated, ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said.

“This is a building that houses lots of high powered computers and electrical equipment, and it’s not air conditioned,” Geoffroy said.

Cory Simon, senior in computer engineering, said the “light, airy atmosphere” of the addition would be attractive to potential students.

“The new design allows potential students to see into nearly every classroom and decide if computer and electrical engineering is right for them,” he said.

Phase II of the project, calling for renovation of the older part of Coover Hall and more new construction, is already being planned, Somani said.

“We absolutely have to finish this project and transform the entire building into a facility befitting the importance of the department of electrical and computer engineering,” Geoffroy said.

Somani said second phase will add new faculty and research space.