TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Last May, Linda and Mike Mussallem stood in the sunshine outside a renovated and expanded student union at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to cut the ribbon on this major campus enhancement. The project would not have been possible without their support: the Mussallems provided the $9 million lead gift for the $25 million project.

Today (3/7/19), the institute is announcing an additional $1.5 million gift from the Mussallems to provide an adjacent pavilion for outdoor dining and gatherings with sliding glass doors around the perimeter and plants on the roof. Situated a short distance from where the couple helped dedicate Mussallem Union (“The Muzz”), the pavilion will provide seating for 40-50 people and be usable nearly year-round, allowing for protection from the elements during cooler months and the ability to enjoy the outdoors via open walls during warmer weather.

Mike Mussallem, a 1974 chemical engineering alumnus, is chairman and chief executive officer of Edwards Lifesciences, based in Irvine, Calif.

In a joint statement Linda and Mike Mussallem remarked, “We are so pleased to partner with Rose-Hulman to expand the student union to the outdoor pavilion, which we hope will give students an additional space to enjoy, de-stress and create community. The Muzz and surrounding areas serve as the vibrant campus center and it is exciting to see how much the students are enjoying it. We look forward to this vision for the pavilion becoming a reality.”

The pavilion was designed by RATIO Architects of Indianapolis, which also designed the student union project. Construction of the outdoor structure is expected to begin this spring with completion in time for dedication at Rose-Hulman’s Homecoming, Oct. 4-5.