The Spring 2025 meeting of the Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC) brought together industry leaders, faculty and members
Antoun Hall Dedicated Thanks to the Vision and Generosity of Georges and Martha Antoun
Tue, 05/06/2025 - 4:00pm
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the College of Engineering celebrated the dedication of Antoun Hall on Friday, April 25, 2025, a landmark made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Georges and Martha Antoun.
Their visionary gift transformed what was once only a blueprint into a dynamic facility that now serves as a hub for energy research, innovation, and education. Thanks to the Antouns’ support, Antoun Hall houses three cutting-edge centers within the Energy Institute of Louisiana — the Louisiana Solar Energy Lab, the EDA Green Hydrogen Center of Excellence, and the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Center — as well as the newly announced Department of Energy Regional Test Center.
This national designation places UL Lafayette among a select group of institutions leading the future of solar energy research and testing.
Antoun Hall represents far more than a building; it is a symbol of how philanthropy can fuel discovery, workforce development, and economic growth. Through their commitment, Georges and Martha Antoun have invested in generations of students, faculty, and groundbreaking research that will shape the energy landscape for years to come.
The dedication ceremony, led by Dean Ahmed Khattab as Master of Ceremony, featured remarks from University President Dr. Joseph Savoie, Dr. Laurie Burnham of Sandia National Laboratories, Provost Dr. Jaimie Hebert, and Dr. Terrence Chambers, Director of the Energy Institute of Louisiana. The Antouns’ belief in UL Lafayette’s mission was celebrated as the driving force behind this transformative project.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed tours, student demonstrations, and a ribbon cutting unveiling the new DOE Regional Test Center sign — another milestone made possible through the Antouns’ leadership and generosity.
Antoun Hall stands as a lasting legacy of vision, philanthropy, and the belief that the best is yet to come. We are forever grateful for their belief in our mission — and for reminding us that with vision and heart, anything is possible.
