LSU College of Engineering Names Laboratory for Longtime Supporters

Norma and Burt McNeill’s many years of support have made a new electrical engineering laboratory possible at the LSU College of Engineering.

July 31, 2008 — The LSU College of Engineering named an electrical engineering laboratory Thursday, July 31, 2008 honoring alumnus Edwin “Burt” McNeil and his wife, Norma, for their many years of support and generosity toward the LSU community.

The Edwin "Burt" & Norma S. McNeil Radio Frequency (RF)/Communication Laboratory is a teaching lab located in the Engineering Research & Development Building. The McNeil Laboratory facilitates the conduct of signal-transmission experiments for electrical engineering students who are studying communications technologies used in cellular telephones and Internet connections.

“The McNeil Family's dedication and support to the Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) Department will be recognized by all future generations of our students. Their generosity will provide the infrastructure necessary for better recruiting and training of our students in an area of significance to our society. Their commitment to the academic success of electrical engineering students is contributing to the success of the ECE Department,” said Interim ECE Chair Jorge L. Aravena.

Edwin “Burt” McNeil is a 1946 Electrical Engineering graduate and ExxonMobil retiree. The McNeils’ generous support has made possible many educational enhancements in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, including the Edwin B. & Norma S. McNeil Distinguished Professorship. The naming of the RF/Communication laboratory honors their long time dedication and philanthropic legacy.

“Our support for ECE is motivated by the goal of LSU achieving recognition as a world-class research institution and becoming a significant factor in moving Louisiana forward,” said Burt McNeil.

Support for professorships and laboratories, like the programs supported by the McNeil family, are counted toward the Forever LSU Campaign. Forever LSU is LSU’s largest fundraising effort in its history, with a goal of generating more than $750 million in support for LSU by the end of the year 2010. To find out how you can get involved with supporting your favorite LSU program through the Forever LSU campaign, visit www.foreverlsu.org .