--- title: University of Maryland Celebrates Opening of E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory date: 2022-05-05T16:16:00-04:00 author: Lee Tune canonical_url: "https://umdrightnow.umd.edu/news-releases/university-of-maryland-celebrates-opening-of-e-a-fernandez-idea-factory" section: News Releases --- News Releases # University of Maryland Celebrates Opening of E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory $67 million state-of-the-art facility will foster new technology innovations in autonomous flight, quantum computing, robotics and more, and spark regional prosperity May 05, 2022 **Media RSVP to:** COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland will dedicate the E.A Fernandez IDEA Factory, the university’s new engineering facility designed to foster technology innovations and collaboration across engineering, the arts, business and science. The unique and striking building is expected to lead to new advances and new startups, yielding economic development for Greater College Park, the state, region and nation. The IDEA Factory also continues a powerful, ongoing trend at the University of Maryland: buildings specifically designed and engineered to foster and support innovation, creativity, openness, collaboration, cross disciplinary work, and ultimately lead to new technologies and businesses. In addition to the speaking program and official dedication moment, media will be able to tour the state-of-the-art building’s unique spaces for promoting dialogue between students, entrepreneurs and faculty working in diverse fields such as multimedia, robotics, rotorcraft and quantum engineering. **WHO:** - Darryll J. Pines, President, University of Maryland - Shane Bonkowski '23, UMD student - Samuel Graham, Jr., Dean, A. James Clark School of Engineering - Courtney Clark Pastrick, A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation - Emilio Fernandez ’69, Managing Director, Pulse Capital **WHEN:** Tuesday, May 10, 2022 - 8:30 a.m. - recommended media arrival time for set up prior to guest arrival - 8:45 a.m. - event begins - 9:00 a.m. - speaking program begins **WHERE:** [Lot H, across from E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory](https://maps.umd.edu/map/index.html?&feature=parking&name=H&basemap=detailed) 4462 Stadium Dr., College Park, MD 20740 **PARKING:** Parking information available with RSVP **AUDIO:** A press riser and mult-box audio feed will be available at the event. Colleges & Schools [ A. James Clark School of Engineering ](/news-releases?unit[]=unit-a-james-clark-school-of-engineering)