by Aristo Wong
The Gorguze Family Laboratory (GFL) is home to mechanical and electrical engineering projects at the University of Michigan. Formerly known as the Engineering Programs Building, the large, gray North Campus building was updated and expanded into the GFL in 2011 (Chronicle Staff).
Vincent T. Gorguze. Photo courtesy: Cameron Holdings.
The building was named after UM alumnus Vincent T. Gorguze. Born in 1913, he is known for his contributions to entrepreneurship and philanthropy, notably in education and engineering (“Vincent T. Gorguze"). After getting his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, he worked for Ford Motor Company and Curtiss-Wright Corporation, an advanced technology company that provides for industrial, defense and energy firms. He then moved on to Emerson Electric, becoming the CEO (“Vincent T. Gorguze"). After retiring from Emerson, he co-founded the Cameron Holding Foundation. The building was named after Vincent and Gloria Gorguze after the family donated five-million dollars to the university to expand and update the building (Chronicle Staff).
The key highlight of the Gorguze Family Laboratory is the Wilson Student Project Team Center. The "20,000 square-foot workshop holding nearly 30 U-M Engineering project teams’ work spaces..." where students work "on complex engineering projects with the ultimate goal of their team succeeding in international competitions" (Zhang). With it, there is also a whole host of tools and equipment, including mill and lathe machines, as well as drills, welders and bench saws.
Another notable feature of the GFL is the five-by-seven subsonic wind tunnel, one of ten different wind tunnels at UM. Built in 1956 with the help of the US Air Force, the wind tunnel is able to generate air velocity of over 150 miles per hour ("Wind Tunnels"). Now it stands as a place where students are able to test the aerodynamics of their projects. The building is, although showing signs of wear, evidence of how many students have learned a new skill set through walking through the doors.
The name Vincent is "derived from Latin vincere meaning 'to conquer'" ("Vincent"), something Vincent Gorguze has certainly done in his lifetime. And thanks to his generosity, the students who are privileged to learn in the place bearing his name will have the chance to work to become the "conquering heroes" Wolverines have come to be known as.
Wind tunnel where students can test their projects. Photo by Aristo Wong (2024).
Equipment in the Wilson Center. Photo by Aristo Wong (2024).
Space for project teams to work in the Wilson Center. Photo by Aristo Wong (2024).
Works Cited
Chronicle Staff. “UM Engineering Building Named for Gorguze.” Ann Arbor Chronicle, 19 May 2011 annarborchronicle.com/2011/05/19/um-engineering-building-named-for-gorguze/index.html. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
“Wind Tunnels.” Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, aero.engin.umich.edu/research/shared-facilities/wind-tunnels/. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
“About the Center,” College of Engineering, University of Michigan, teamprojects.engin.umich.edu/home/about/#aboutthecenter. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
"Vincent." Behind the Name. behindthename.com/name/vincent. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
“Vincent T. Gorguze - Founder." Cameron Holdings, cameron-holdings.com/vincent-t-gorguze---founder.html. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
Wong, Aristo. Equipment in the Wilson Center. Oct. 2024. Author's personal collection.
Wong, Aristo. GFL nameplate. Oct. 2024. Author's personal collection.
Wong, Aristo. Space for project teams to work in the Wilson Center. Oct. 2024. Author's personal collection.
Wong, Aristo. Wind tunnel where students can test their projects. Oct. 2024. Author's personal collection.
Zhang, Christine. "A day in the life of an Engineering student." The Michigan Daily, 15 Apr. 2024, michigandaily.com/news/campus-life/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-engineering-student/ Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.