SOLVED, finally. For anyone searching: There are two sets of drivers that need to be downloaded from Intel's site. The first is the "Intel PROSet/Wireless WiMAX Connection Utility" software. The second, which contains the drivers for the wifi portion of the device (why Intel didn't include these in the above software is beyond me and really frustrating), is called "Intel PROSet Wireless Software and Drivers".
There's no indication to the user that this additional piece of software needs to be downloaded, as the Configuration Utility *appears* to install drivers for the other functions of the Intel Centrino. Also, the "wifi" portion of the device shows up as "Network Controller" in device manager, nothing else, and Windows fails to find any suitable driver for it, even when it has access to Windows Update.