- By Kelly B. Tehan
- Around Town
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The groundbreaking ceremony drew more than 150 people including several elected officials. Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio, and Assemblyman Gary Finch were in attendance, as well as many Wells trustees, faculty, students, staff, and local residents.
"This is indeed an exciting day for Wells College as we break ground on our new science education facility," said Wells President Lisa Marsh Ryerson in her opening remarks. "Today, only 11 percent of American undergraduates are receiving four-year degrees in the natural sciences or engineering. Our investment in this new facility prepares talented students for careers in the sciences and technology. We will also educate educators - women and men who will go on to be the next generation of science teachers. Through their learning experiences at Wells, they will bring higher levels of knowledge and excitement to elementary and secondary classrooms. In this way, Wells will play its own part in perpetuating a new cycle of science education in the United States."
The College raised more than $18 million to fund the construction of the building. Additional funds are being raised to endow the facility and science programs. The new building is expected to be open for the start of the 2007-2008 academic year.
Congressman Boehlert, chair of the House Committee on Science, discussed what America must do to maintain its standing among the global powers, especially in the sciences, technology, and engineering.
He said, "Here in America, we've got our hands full. Our economic competitors are real and growing stronger by the day...One thing we can do...is to increase our investment in research and education ... Throughout its history, Wells College has bridged the liberal arts curriculum with linkage in the study of science. This rich cross-disciplinary education serves all students, those in science and the liberal arts. I am so pleased that a leader in liberal education like Wells College understands that science has to be a central part of that education. And I am so proud to have that recognition of science in our own backyard."
Boehlert concluded by saying "I am confident that this new science center will contribute significantly to this region's economic and social prosperity. With this new building, Wells College is making a very tangible commitment to the study of science that will benefit this college, our community and indeed the entire nation."
Abraham Lackman, president of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (cIcu), addressed the important role of education in preparing our citizenry for the challenges our nation faces.
"I think this new building has historical significance. Given the educational needs of New York State and our nation, Wells is addressing the right priority," he said.
Dan Hill, a member of the Heron clan of the Cayuga Nation (Iroquois), provided a musical Native American blessing to consecrate the land upon which the new building is situated, and to ceremonially join Wells College and the Haudenosaunee nation in respectful partnership. Hill treated the assembly to two hauntingly beautiful songs on his hand-made wooden flute.
Nozzolio and Finch then joined Ryerson, Boehlert, and Lackman at the staging ground, along with Wells board chair Suzanne Grey (class of 1972), honorary trustee Shirley Bacot (class of 1958), and Edward Matthews, a key campaign contributor. With golden shovels and specially made hardhats emblazoned with the Wells logo, the group dug into the earth, officially breaking ground on the first new campus building in 30 years.
Following the ceremony, a panel discussion on the importance of science education featured Wells science faculty and other experts in the field, including Professor of Physics Scott Heinekamp, Professor of Biology Candace Collmer, Congressman Boehlert, Mr. Lackman, and Dr. Robert Ross of Ithaca's Paleontological Research Institution.
Moderated by President Ryerson, the panel addressed questions on America's prosperity as it relates to research, development, and the sciences; what we can do to engage and excite today's students in the sciences; how we can advocate for the support and funding needed to nurture science programs and education in our area; and how corporate sponsorship may or may not affect research, and the types of challenges researchers face in the context of the profit-driven model of scholarship.
Groundbreaking activities concluded with a gala community reception.
The new 45,000 square foot science facility is a three-level, L-shaped building that will be set into the hillside behind Zabriskie Hall, which currently houses science programs. The new structure will include flexible classroom and lab spaces to support courses developed for science majors and non-majors, as well as faculty offices, special-use rooms, and a multi-functional, 92-seat lecture hall. The lecture hall and several other major spaces were designed to accommodate needs across academic disciplines, such as introductory course lectures, college symposia and public presentations and events.
The building's concept and design was a collaborative effort - the Wells science faculty identified needs for teaching space and HOLT Architects of Ithaca designed the facility. The College has contracted with LeCesse Construction Company of Rochester to erect the building.
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