Strosacker functional, construction nearly complete
Liz Klimas
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: News
While much of the student body focuses on the Grewcock Student Union, scientists at Hillsdale College can't take their eyes off the new addition to Strosacker Science Center. Lecture halls have been open since the first day of class and the first lab sessions on Tuesday.
Throughout the fall semester, displaced science students were cramped into the Dow Science Building for labs, had lectures in Lane Hall and trekked to professors' offices located off campus. Now only the back façade of the building must be completed.
"The thing I enjoy the absolute most, so far, is to be able to walk out of my office and be 10 feet from my lecture hall," said Dean of Sciences Chris Van Orman, whose office was located on Union Street during construction.
Construction started after the spring 2007 semester. The whole addition cost $9.2 million and added 17,000 square feet.
The chemistry and biology departments received the most dramatic changes. The chemistry addition includes a single large lab for general chemistry and organic chemistry use. The lab houses new computers and 24 new fume hoods used to suck up hazardous fumes.
"I really think the addition will allow us to do science like we've never done it before," Van Orman said. "Strosacker was built in 1967, and the way they did science then compared to now is very different."
New biology labs include the water lab, which will feature a new Living Stream, a microbiology lab, an anatomy lab and a greenhouse. Biology students will also enjoy a new biology lounge once completed.
"I think the new labs will be really beneficial because they are more specialized, which is always helpful because you have better equipment and things go easier," junior biology major Colleen Davis said.
The physics department's offices were expanded slightly and received new furniture and carpeting. A sixth office was added for potential expansion.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said that, since the project had some surplus funds available, the administration decided to match the brick work on the north end of Strosacker to the rest of the building. The whole project may not be complete until April.
He also said the usual campus keycard system will apply to Strosacker after normal class hours, as it is with Kendall and Lane halls.
"Between this and the student union, it will be a showcase for prospective students and visitors," Van Orman said. "We are so fortunate to have this. I have students saying they are sad because they were beyond organic and can't use the [new] space."
Throughout the fall semester, displaced science students were cramped into the Dow Science Building for labs, had lectures in Lane Hall and trekked to professors' offices located off campus. Now only the back façade of the building must be completed.
"The thing I enjoy the absolute most, so far, is to be able to walk out of my office and be 10 feet from my lecture hall," said Dean of Sciences Chris Van Orman, whose office was located on Union Street during construction.
Construction started after the spring 2007 semester. The whole addition cost $9.2 million and added 17,000 square feet.
The chemistry and biology departments received the most dramatic changes. The chemistry addition includes a single large lab for general chemistry and organic chemistry use. The lab houses new computers and 24 new fume hoods used to suck up hazardous fumes.
"I really think the addition will allow us to do science like we've never done it before," Van Orman said. "Strosacker was built in 1967, and the way they did science then compared to now is very different."
New biology labs include the water lab, which will feature a new Living Stream, a microbiology lab, an anatomy lab and a greenhouse. Biology students will also enjoy a new biology lounge once completed.
"I think the new labs will be really beneficial because they are more specialized, which is always helpful because you have better equipment and things go easier," junior biology major Colleen Davis said.
The physics department's offices were expanded slightly and received new furniture and carpeting. A sixth office was added for potential expansion.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said that, since the project had some surplus funds available, the administration decided to match the brick work on the north end of Strosacker to the rest of the building. The whole project may not be complete until April.
He also said the usual campus keycard system will apply to Strosacker after normal class hours, as it is with Kendall and Lane halls.
"Between this and the student union, it will be a showcase for prospective students and visitors," Van Orman said. "We are so fortunate to have this. I have students saying they are sad because they were beyond organic and can't use the [new] space."
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