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8 December 2005 Opening a New Era for Science at Longwood
Longwood University’s seven-year wait for a state-of-the-art science building officially ended Dec. 6. The four-story, 70,822-square foot science center, located near the corner of High Street and Griffin Boulevard, was unveiled to the campus community and the public with the cutting of a ceremonial ribbon: a 16-foot long model of a portion of the DNA double helix. “As you know, we have been waiting for this moment for a very long time,” Longwood President Patricia Cormier told the audience who braved chilly temperatures for a 5:30 p.m. ceremony in front of the building’s High Street entrance. “What you probably do not know is how long we have been waiting – seven years on December 18, to be exact, through two governors and now a governor-elect. It was Governor Jim Gilmore’s December 18, 1998 budget that provided the planning money for this new science building. We then went through several years of uncertainty as to how much money would be provided for the construction and what revenue source would be used. But, over time all issues were resolved and we are very appreciative to the governors and the members of the General Assembly for bringing Longwood University’s science facilities into the 21st century.” The Department of Natural Sciences will occupy the science center, which has been called the most complex building ever built by Longwood, beginning in the spring semester. It replaces Stevens Hall, built in 1951. The facility’s educational technology will enable the science program to provide students with greatly enhanced research opportunities, Longwood officials say.
“What does the new science facility mean to the faculty?” Dr. Michelle Parry, chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, asked rhetorically. “It means that we will have the opportunity to do our jobs as educators and research scientists more efficiently. For example, we will no longer have to reserve a computer on wheels, or COW as we fondly refer to them, each time we want to show a PowerPoint presentation or computer simulation during a lecture. We will be able to walk into any classroom and use the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art technology for instructing our students. It means that we will no longer need to conduct research projects in the corner of our teaching labs, our offices, or in my case in my garage at home. The faculty research spaces will provide a productive environment for conducting research projects and will make it even easier to recruit undergraduate participants.” Others who spoke at the ceremony and participated in the ribbon-cutting, in addition to Dr. Parry and Dr. Cormier, were Dr. Helen Warriner-Burke, secretary of the Longwood Board of Visitors; Dr. Wayne McWee, vice president for academic affairs; and Dr. Charles Ross, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “This dedication is not about bricks and mortar; it is about teachers and teaching,” said Dr. Warriner-Burke, a Longwood alumna. “When I was a student here, many wonderful things happened to me, but superseding everything were the professors who kindled within me a thirst for learning that still inspires me to expand my intellectual horizons.” “One-room schoolteachers did much for many with almost nothing but handicaps to work around, but I truly believe that good teachers can be more effective if provided with the best environment and tools to work with,” she added. “This building enables you science people to be even better…You and the students you teach need this elegant building.” The ceremonial ribbon was cut by science majors Kristen Casalenuovo (physics), Chris Shuford (chemistry/physics) and David Walker (biology). The ribbon was designed by Dr. Consuelo Alvarez, assistant professor of biology, and her husband, Dr. Gary Lutz, assistant professor of chemistry, who were assisted in its construction by biology majors Iliana Diaz and Ellen Simpson. It consists of 39 foam panels, each representing a specific base pairing and each of the four bases in DNA of a different color “to aid in the identification of the specific sequence represented by the model,” Dr. Alvarez said. The panels are connected by a central wooden rod and two wire-ribbons (Longwood’s colors, blue and white), which represent the phosphate-sugar backbone of the helix. “This DNA model represents a section of one type of hemoglobin (gamma-globin), which we as humans have in our fetus stage,” explained Dr. Alvarez, who will use the ribbon in her genetics courses. “When we are born, this specific type decreases expression as another type of hemoglobin (beta-globin) will increase its expression. Just as we grow up and become adults, so too this building has been born to us and will grow up.”
Members of the audience included eight retired members of the Natural Sciences faculty, State Senator Frank Ruff (R-15th District, which includes Farmville) and Farmville Mayor Syd Newman. The ceremony was preceded by a talk by psychic investigator James Randi, who drew a packed audience in Jarman Auditorium. Afterward, there was a reception in the science center. The packing and moving of equipment from teaching labs in Stevens to those in the science center will begin Dec. 12. Faculty will start moving their office belongings over Dec. 19. |
