COSAM News Articles 2019 May Message from Dean Giordano – May 2019

Message from Dean Giordano – May 2019

Published: 05/07/2019

The new Leach Science Center Addition will open next month with an official ribbon cutting ceremony on June 7. This event will be a celebration of a new home for student learning and core research. I am excited that we will now have classrooms, study areas, offices and research laboratories conveniently located in one facility for the Department of Physics.

The building also offers a rooftop astronomy terrace with remote capabilities for hands-on student research. Astronomy students will be able to use these telescopes to collect data and have new opportunities to interactively learn about the solar system.

The new 62,500 square-foot addition is made of reinforced concrete construction, and the exterior is a combination of metal panes, brick masonry and a large glass curtain wall. The interior of the building is made with durability and sustainability in mind. The floors for the public areas are polished concrete and the labs have sheet linoleum flooring. The Leach Science Center Addition is also designed to be environmentally friendly. The certification process for a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standard is currently in process.

Once faculty have relocated to the new building, the Allison Laboratory building will be demolished for the construction of the Academic Classroom and Laboratory Complex (ACLC).

Recently, I had the opportunity to personally meet members of the Allison family. Tammy Hartwell from the Office of Development took the time to host a series of events for family members before the building is replaced. Grandchildren, including Fred Allison, III, shared memories and stories going back more than 100 years. During their visit to the university, Dr. James Hanson, Chair of the Department of Physics, provided the family with a tour of the Allison Laboratory. The family members saw the portrait of Dr. Fred Allison commemorating his time as a department head and walked the very halls that meant so much to him.

The official ceremony for the new Leach Science Center will take place from 2 – 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2019. Additional events for donors to tour the building will occur during the Leadership Council weekend in November.