The first step in raising money for a new agricultural and biosystems engineering complex has begun, thanks to a $5 million pledge from an ISU alumnus.

Virgil Elings, a 1961 graduate of Iowa State, has pledged the lead gift in a proposed $63.3 million engineering complex. The complex will house the department of agricultural and biosystems engineering as well as the ISU Office of Biorenewables Program. It will also include laboratories, classrooms and offices.

“We’ve needed a facility like this since the 1930s when the original Davidson Hall was built,” said Mark Kushner, dean of the College of Engineering. “There has been serious talk by agriculture and biosystems engineering literally for decades.”

The complex requires a total of $12 million in private support and approval from the Iowa Legislature for the remainder. Elings’ gift constitutes $5 million of the private support needed.

“A lead gift usually energizes and kicks off the ability to go raise additional funds,” said Ann Wilson, senior director of communications at the ISU Foundation. “This is the stage we’re at now.”

Wilson said now that the lead gift has been received, the ISU Foundation is able to start fundraising efforts for the remaining

$7 million needed in private support.

Kushner explained that building projects are proposed to the Capital Project Committee, which reports to ISU President Gregory Geoffroy. Geoffroy then makes a recommendation to the Iowa Board of Regents based on the deliberations of the CPC. After reviewing the proposals, the Board of Regents prioritizes the funding and makes a request to the Iowa Legislature.

“Because of Elings’ generosity, it motivates other private donors to contribute to the project,” Kushner said. “This gift is very, very important.”

The complex will allow Iowa State to improve both graduate student and faculty recruitment, provide students with modern classrooms and laboratories, enable the department to respond to changing research and curriculum needs and bring most of the department’s faculty and classrooms to one location.

Pamela Reinig, program director for engineering communications and marketing, said the 166,000 square foot facility will be located on the west side of campus, in the grassy area between Howe Hall and the College of Design building.

It is unknown how long fundraising will take, but the College of Engineering is eager to begin.

“Construction will begin as soon as all fundraising is completed,” Reinig said.

Iowa State will make a request to the Iowa Board of Regents to name the agricultural and biosystems building “Elings Hall” in honor of Elings’ generosity.