Robert Morris University will break ground on an expansion to the John Jay Center for the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the university’s Moon Township campus.

The 14,000-square-foot expansion will include new engineering laboratories; a new outreach and research center; collaborative interdisciplinary space for demonstration, development and research; as well as an innovation design suite which will address gaps in regional workforce needs. This expansion is funded through a $5 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

The groundbreaking will kick off a day of celebration at Robert Morris, including the first basketball game at the UPMC Events Center, featuring the RMU’s men’s team versus the Pitt Panthers. Tip-off is at 6 p.m., and the game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.

The 161,000 square-foot UPMC Events Center includes a 4,000-seat arena, dubbed Peoples Court, that is home to the university’s NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball teams and volleyball team. The venue has hosted six concerts since it opened in May and will feature a performance by Bob Dylan on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Anticipating a sellout crowd, the university will host a big screen viewing party on the lawn of Nicholson Center that is free and open to the public. The evening will culminate with a postgame fireworks display in front of Joe Walton Stadium.

Members of the media are invited to attend all events, and can direct all questions to Jonathan Potts at potts@rmu.edu or 412-397-5291.