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Lewis University Dedicates New Science Center

Lewis University opened its new Science Center to the public with a Dedication Ceremony on Friday, March 23 and an Open House on Saturday, March 24 on the University’s main campus in Romeoville. Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President of Lewis University, led university representatives in dedicating the building, which opened for classes in January 2012.

“This impressive new Science Center, with its exceptional faculty, rigorous and research-driven curriculum, and students with unlimited potential will provide for the preparation of truly excellent scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists, engineers, physicians, nurses, other health professionals, and scientific researchers,” Brother James said during the ceremony.

“The new Science Center is really what we consider a game changer. It changes who we are and what we are going to do in the future regarding this part of education,” said James LaGrippe, Vice Chair of the Lewis University Board of Trustees and Lewis alumnus. “It is our expectation that the Science Center will provide Lewis students with the resources that will give them an outstanding science education and put them in a position to be successful in pursuing their career goals.”

The 50,000 square-foot addition of the new Science Center features 12 labs, six prep labs, eight research facilities, three conference rooms, classrooms with Smart Boards, faculty/staff offices and gathering spaces with terrazzo floors. The top level of the three-story $18 million structure features biology labs, the second floor focuses on chemistry areas, and the lower level is dedicated to physics.

In the last five years, Lewis University has experienced nearly 50 percent increase in enrollment in undergraduate science programs. The project was part of an overall $30 million campaign “Touching Hearts and Minds: The Campaign for Lewis University,” which centered on providing increased scholarship funding and expanding facilities to enhance learning. When the campaign concluded in Fall 2011, it was the largest campaign in the university’s history and exceeded its goal amount by more than $1 million.

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