Honeywell Pledges $10M To Turn UNC Charlotte Building Into STEM Innovation Hub

A $10 million gift from Honeywell will transform UNC Charlotte's campus. The funds, announced at a Monday event, will create a cutting-edge center for science and tech studies.

The project will remake Burson Hall's 155,000 square feet into a modern learning space. The building will house new labs and research zones, with $1 million set aside for smart building systems.

"You now have the opportunity to have a truly immersive environment here where you can learn on the state-of-the-art and the sophisticated programs and automation that we have in," said Eric Seidel, Honeywell's senior vice president and chief commercial officer, according to WFAE.

The plan includes money for 48 student awards through 2035. It will also add four teaching spots in tech fields. Six students received the first round of funding Monday: a total of $180,000 in support.

Students will help guide the building's design through an advisory group. "Students have been consulted on everything from what they want the space to look like to the technology that will be in the building," said Riley Hughes, a UNC Charlotte junior and committee member, according to Axios Charlotte.

The timing matches big steps forward for UNC Charlotte. This year brought R1 status from Carnegie Classification, marking it as a top research school. Next fall brings new AI degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

"What we believe is that this program becomes a feeder to the whole bigger process," said Vimal Kapur, Honeywell CEO. "And as companies grow, they need more people. It becomes a virtuous cycle that companies grow and they're able to leverage the capacity which is available here."

Construction starts within months. The doors should open in 2027, according to Chancellor Sharon Gaber.