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New Science and Technology Center groundbreaking Saturday

Speakers at groundbreaking ceremony.	Trustees at groundbreaking ceremony.	Alumni Association Board Members
Student Alumni Ambassadors	Peirce Faculty

Clarion’s University’s “science and technology agenda” took another giant step Saturday afternoon with an official groundbreaking ceremony for its new $36.4 million Science and Technology Center.

“To all of the people in this community who believe…really believe…that Clarion can lead a science agenda in this region I say thank you,” said Clarion President Joseph Grunenwald who also served as master of ceremonies. “I say thank you for not only those of us here today, but thank you for the students that will be here 20 and 40 years from now, taking the ideas that you saw today in the rotunda and advancing them to next steps, either to commercialization or to the next level of research required to move forward. Science for the good of all.”

The groundbreaking was the second during the 2006-07 academic year, joining last fall’s groundbreaking for the Clarion University Biotechnology Business Development Center. The facility is designed to establish and grow high technology, family-sustaining jobs in the region. The incubator facility of the CUBBDC will be a catalyst for the formation of local biotech start-ups and form a unique partnership with Clarion’s Science and Technology Center.

Saturday’s outdoor celebration also capped off the annual Alumni Weekend activities that also included a presentation of student research displays in the Gemmell Student Complex.

In addition to Grunenwald, also making remarks were Clarion Trustee Chairperson R. Lee James of Oil City: Alumni Association Board of Directors President Lois Linnan, a retired Clarion University Department of Mathematics faculty member; Faculty Senate chair Dr. Todd Pfannestiel; Clarion University Student Senate President Justin Dandoy, and Clarion County Commissioners chair David Cyphert; and Clarion University Foundation Inc. Administrative Director Michael Keefer.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has approved budget funding of $33.7 million to construct the facility, scheduled for completion in Spring 2009, with Clarion University to raise $2.7 million in matching funds.

The ceremony recognized the project’s Executive Planning Committee that includes Terence Alcorn, Co-Chair, Project Architect, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson; Dr. Stephen Johnson, Co-Chair Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Paul Bylaska, Vice President for Finance and Administration; Grunenwald; Dr. Steven Harris, Associate to the Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; and Clare Heidler, Director of Facilities Planning.

Gruenwald also praised the efforts of faculty members in designing the project, pointing to the Project Steering Committee consisting of Dr. Stephen Johnson, Chair; Dr. Yasser Ayad, Anthropology, Geography, and Earth Science Department; Dr. William Barnes, Biology Department; Dr. Jon Beal, Mathematics Department; Dr. William Brent, Chemistry Department (deceased); Dr. John Ernissee, Anthropology, Geography, and Earth Science Department; Dr. Benjamin Freed, Mathematics Department; Dr. Curt Foltz, Physics Department; Dr. Steven Harris; Dr. Sharon Montgomery, Physics Department; Dr. Joshua Pearce, Physics Department; Dr. Paul Ryberg, Anthropology, Geography, and Earth Science Department; Steven Selker, Associate Director, Computing Services; Dr. Bruce Smith, Department of Education; Dr. Johnathan Touster, Chemistry Department; Dr. Andrew Turner, Biology Department; Dr. Charles Williams, Biology Department.

Student research on display

Posters from research projects completed by students, in conjunction with faculty members, from the science fields that will occupy the new Science and Technology Building – anthropology/geography/earth science, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and science education were on display earlier in the day for alumni and other visitors. The Office of Academic Affairs funded some of the research projects and many of them were presented at Clarion University’s Undergraduate Research Conference and various conferences in Pennsylvania and nationwide.

Clarion’s vision of science and technology

The construction of a new Science and Technology Center is a linchpin for the realization of Clarion University's vision for the next decade and beyond. That vision centers on student learning supported by high quality academic facilities.

The Science and Technology Center, which will replace Peirce Science Center, will facilitate the university's efforts to prepare top-notch science and math teachers to address a recognized national shortage as well as technologically trained professionals to enter other areas of the workforce.

The project is expected to be one of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified science buildings in Pennsylvania. LEED certification requires meeting national standards and reflects facilities that best meet sustainable environmental energy concerns.

The science and technology building will house many core programs – mathematics, chemistry, physics, geography, geology, molecular biology/biotechnology, archeology, nanotechnology, and anthropology among others. Every Clarion University student will take some classes in the new building, where they will do research alongside faculty in fields such as astrophysics, experimental physics, plasma physics, material science, physics education, and sustainability.

The building will house 11 collaborative research laboratories, 25 teaching laboratories, a state-of-the-art computer lab, a science museum, a cold room, and individual resource centers for biology, chemistry, earth science, mathematics, and physics. While provisions have been made for a greenhouse, that structure is not part of the Science and Technology Center. The 98,000 square foot building will also house 55 offices. The current planetarium and auditorium will also be renovated and add another 8,000 square feet to the complex. Smart classrooms will be available throughout the building with wireless Internet inside and outside, allowing students and professors to connect with the entire world through video, computers, and the web.

Naming opportunities available

Naming opportunities are available for everything from faculty offices to the building itself. For additional information on supporting Clarion’s building program, please contact Rika Beckley, associate vice president for development, at 814-393-2572.

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