The Augustana Mathletes may be out of the "dungeon" soon. The Gilbert Science Center holds plans to undergo a major makeover, including an expansion and renovation.
Vice President of Advancement Jon Henkes said this new facility is a priority for the college.
"It will address both current needs and the opportunity to build upon Augustana's outstanding reputation in the sciences and nursing," Henkes said.
The present Gilbert Science Center was constructed in 1966. Henkes said it has excelled in facilitating experiential learning and preparing Augustana graduates, but the facility is now outdated.
There are two "phases" to the project, which will begin as soon as sufficient funds are available.
Phase one is an addition, which will include mostly laboratories, as it is easier to construct labs in the new space due to the requirements for heating, air-conditioning, ventilation, electrical and ceiling heights needed for new labs. The new labs will include both teaching and research lab spaces.
Phase two, the renovation, will include classrooms and faculty offices. A component to the construction will be an open, indoor atrium that would be between the existing building and the addition.
"This space would provide a wonderful space with lots of natural lighting for students to study and hang out, as well as provide a space for research poster sessions and presentations to large groups," biology professor and chair of the natural sciences division Michael Wanous said.
Other goals for the project include contemporary lab spaces for teaching and research, a state-of-the-art nursing simulation suite for realistic clinical training, classrooms that allow flexibility for more interactive teaching modes, plentiful areas for student studying and faculty-student interaction, a building that combines function and beauty and an environmentally friendly building.
"We are very excited that our own art faculty member Scott Parsons has experience in designing artistic elements for science buildings, and we are including him in the design process," Wanous said. "We also plan to build according to sustainability guidelines and seek certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] program."
Wanous believes the updates to classrooms and labs will benefit the learning environment for students across campus.
"In addition to all of the science majors, all Augustana students take general education courses in the natural sciences," Wanous said. "The improvements in the research labs will be a great resource for our students who are involved in research and intend to go on to graduate and professional schools after graduating from Augustana."
Junior Kristin DeGroot thinks new classrooms and labs are necessary.
"In order for our science and math programs to provide students with the best opportunities for learning, the facilities need to be updated," DeGroot said. "I think it would also allow for more research opportunities and hopefully draw more students to Augustana."
Henkes said Augustana has done extensive research on the renovation, including a collaborative and comprehensive process to define and address facility and learning needs and opportunities.
"That process included the inputs of faculty, students, staff, alumni and regional health care providers; external site visits; and extensive interactions with architectural/design professionals," Henkes said.
The estimated cost of the project is $60 million, with each phase totaling around $30 million. Henkes said an anonymous gift of $1.25 million was made in 2009 to set a foundation for preconstruction planning and design. The rest of the total will be funded by private donors.
"A committee of Augustana College trustees is leading the effort to identify and solicit major gifts," Henkes said. "Corporate and foundation grants will be sought along the way, once a foundation of alumni gifts has been secured. Retired faculty members who taught in the sciences are energetically offering their assistance to help us make strong connections with capable alumni donors."
An official start date for construction has not been set and will not be until a significant level of funding has been secured, but Henkes is hopeful.
"We have an amazing, generous base of alumni and friends who care deeply about Augustana's future," Henkes said. "We will continue to meet with them in small groups and individually, to tell the story and ask for their support."
Be the first to comment on this article!