IMAGINE... A cleaner environment. A cure for AIDS. A solution to the energy crisis. A safe and sustainable food supply for a hungry planet. A world where science and service to humanity go hand in hand.
The Saint Mary’s Science Initiative Creating a 21st Century Center for Education and Research
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Saint Mary’s has a
proud tradition in the sciences.
But to remain competitive and inspire the next wave of innovation and discovery, we need state-of-the-art facilities. A new science center will enable our students to engage in activities that will ultimately make the world a safer and more humane place for all of the people of God—from stopping the global spread of infectious disease to developing a sustainable food supply for a hungry planet. To realize this vision of a world-class center for education and research on Saint Mary’s Winona campus, we have embarked on the most ambitious fundraising initiative in the University’s history. We must reach out and work together with our alums, parents and friends so that we can prepare to move boldly into the future for the good of society. It will take many generous gifts to achieve our goal.
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Brother William Mann, FSC President, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Science Initiative IMAGINE a center where students gather daily to share in the discovery of the natural world ... to unravel the mysteries of the human genome... or to explore the wonders of the cosmos ... where science is taught in a state-of-the-art setting, with an emphasis on ethics and service to humanity, so that today’s students are prepared to go out and use their skills and knowledge to make the world a better place.
This vision is about to become a reality as we embark on one of the most compelling capital enhancement projects in the history of Saint Mary’s University: the renovation of our existing Adducci Science Center and the construction of a major addition to create a 21st century facility for science education and research.
A Tradition of Excellence in Science Education University Emeritus Professor of Biology Richard Kowles, Ph.D. M ’67 shared his encyclopedic biological knowledge and irrepressible humor with Saint Mary’s students for 36 years before retiring in 2008. “Learning should be joyous,” notes Dr. Kowles, who received the Severin Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1979, the Minnesota Science Teacher of the Year award in 1984, and Saint Mary’s Professor with Distinction designation in 1986.
With an extraordinary new science center on the horizon, Saint Mary’s University is poised to become a leader in science education. Your support for the Saint Mary’s Science Initiative can help us make a historically strong program in the sciences even stronger, enhance our stature as a center for excellence in science education and research, and give our students the foundation they need to meet the scientific, technological and ethical challenges of our changing world.
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Saint Mary’s is blessed with an outstanding science faculty and a strong curriculum in science and technology. The University’s science program has only one weakness, but it is a critical one: the buildings that house its science facilities are seriously outdated. With state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities, Saint Mary’s can continue to foster excellence in the sciences, stimulate research and educate a new generation of young people committed to science, service and leadership.
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James M. Gentile ‘68, Ph.D. Saint Mary’s alumnus and president of Research Corporation, a foundation that advances science by providing research funding for North American colleges and universities
Project Profile
Project Scope The creation of an 80,000-square-foot center for science education and research — a capital enhancement project that includes the renovation of 43,000 square feet of the existing Adducci Science Center (comprised of Hoffman Hall and Brother Charles Hall) and the construction of a 37,000-square-foot science hall addition with state-of-the-art laboratories, a science auditorium, an atrium, a greenhouse and an arboretum.
Saint Mary’s new center for science education and research will house: n State-of-the-art
instructional laboratories
designed to foster a hands-on, collaborative approach to scientific study that stimulates intellectual curiosity, encourages students to learn by experimentation, aids in the development of critical thinking skills and sharpens students’ observation skills.
n A
teacher education laboratory designed
to introduce science education students to the instructional techniques used in primary and secondary education and prepare them for careers as science educators. n Biology,
chemistry, physics and psychology research rooms for
senior-year and graduate and professional student
thesis research. These facilities will also be utilized for collaborative research projects conducted by Saint Mary’s students, professors and scientists from outside organizations and corporations.
approaches, as well as equipment for multimedia instructional
n A
n A
faculty-student collaboration center
fully equipped science auditorium
n High-tech
instructional classrooms with
flexible seating to accommodate different group sizes and facilitate a wide variety of instructional
mini-museum
of natural history.
n A
with flexible seating to accommodate small and large groups for a wide variety of seminars, lectures and presentations.
biology, databases and data mining, distributed systems, formal methods, graphics and virtual environments.
methods, audio and video recording and real-time video conferencing. n A
computer science laboratory
where faculty and students can conduct research in different disciplines, including algorithms, automated reasoning, computational
with faculty offices positioned next to student gathering areas to promote studentfaculty interaction. n A
soaring atrium and adjacent courtyard designed as
Concept drawing for Saint Mary’s proposed center for science education and research
Fundraising Goal:
$20 million in cash and pledges
n An
arboretum
where biologically significant trees and other plants will be cultivated for scientific and educational purposes. n An
a gathering place that promotes the University’s dual mission of science and service. This dramatic indoor-outdoor space will incorporate design elements and building materials inspired by the region. teaching and research greenhouse designed to
astronomy facility* with a digital
telescope and viewing area.
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Aerial view of Saint Mary’s proposed center for science education and research
Since Saint Mary’s first science facility was constructed in 1956, advances in science and technology have been nothing short of extraordinary. Watson and Crick’s work on the double helix of DNA has spawned a revolution in molecular biology. Probes have been sent into the distant reaches of the solar system and man has landed on the moon. Computers have shrunk from the size of a gymnasium to the size of a tack head and become ubiquitous in our lives. With a state-of-the-art space for science on the Winona campus, we can keep pace with the changes that are transforming our world and continue to prepare Saint Mary’s students for successful careers in science and technology well into the 21st century.
n A
facilitate instruction and research in botany, genetics, plant physiology, molecular biology and ecology.
planetarium* to enhance astronomy instruction and community science education. n A
* if funded
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Thomas C. Mans, Ph.D. Vice President for Academic Affairs Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Why is a new science center such a high priority at Saint Mary’s University? Scientific and technological innovation has transformed nearly every aspect of our modern world. Advances that enhance our lives today—from global positioning systems to hybrid cars to laser surgery to sustainable agriculture—are the result of yesterday’s investments in science education and research. Saint Mary’s has a long tradition of excellence in the sciences, with a first-rate faculty and a strong curriculum that has prepared our graduates for advanced study and successful careers as physicians, researchers, innovators and educators. Since 1938, for example, Brother Charles Severin, FSC, 40 percent of Saint a recognized authority on the Mary’s chemistry plant life of southeastern Minnesota, founded Saint majors have gone Mary’s biology department in on to obtain 1933. The Severin Award for doctorates and 11 Excellence in Teaching, which is awarded to outstanding percent have educators at the university, become science was established to honor educators. Brother Charles for his Historically, commitment to excellence in science education. our science
programs have been conclusions from data. Successful housed in two buildings: lab time also sharpens observation Hoffman Hall, built in skills, stimulates intellectual 1956, and Brother curiosity and encourages scientific Charles Hall, built in exploration. By helping students 1987. Since these develop the scientific reasoning buildings were skills necessary for advanced study constructed, science and research, well-equipped education has changed undergraduate science labs can a great deal. Rote help foster the development of the memorization has been next generation of scientists. Well-equipped science replaced by hands-on, laboratory-based learning. laboratories sharpen students’ Why is it so important observation skills, encourage The boundaries between to bring different scientific exploration, stimulate different scientific disciplines together in intellectual curiosity and help students develop the scientific disciplines are dissolving one building to promote reasoning skills necessary for and science is becoming interdisciplinary more advanced study and more integrated and learning? research. collaborative. Our Science is interdisexisting science facilities must be expanded ciplinary in nature and updated so that our students and and requires faculty can work with modern laboratory students and equipment in a collegial, interdisciplinary faculty to be able setting—the type of setting that encourages to integrate ideas effective instruction, discovery and from a variety of innovation. topic areas. The
Why are state-of-the-art science labs so essential to “best practices” in science education? Science, because of its investigative nature, requires hands-on, laboratory-based learning. In a collaborative laboratory setting, students can pursue science learning based on problem solving and drawing
human spaceflight program undertaken by NASA from 1961 to 1975, for example, applied Newtonian mechanics, chemistry, materials science
John J. Hoffman Ph.D. — who served as a professor and chair of Saint Mary’s chemistry department from 1920 to 1960 — was described by his students as a “great scientist,” a “brilliant educator” and a “true Christian.” Hoffman Hall was named in his honor in 1965.
and computer science to the gargantuan task of getting a manned vehicle to the moon and back. The disciplines of biology and computer science are merging as scientists use complex computer programs to sort and catalog cells by size, shape and structure. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are highly interdisciplinary fields that incorporate aspects of chemistry, physics, Saint Mary’s dual focus on biology and science and ethics prepares engineering. From students for successful careers neuropsychology to in the service of humanity. computational biology, future advances in science will almost certainly be more interdisciplinary than ever before. By bringing academic disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science together under one roof, our new science center will help students experience the interconnectedness of scientific knowledge and create a dynamic and flexible environment for exploration and research.
our new science center will give these students an exceptional foundation in the sciences and prepare them for advanced study in prestigious graduate A world-class science facility programs and, will prepare Saint Mary’s ultimately, students for advanced study in careers at the the nation’s finest graduate programs and careers at the forefront of forefront of science and 21st century technology. science. But the benefits of this capital enhancement are not limited to those majoring in the sciences. In today’s world, everyone is affected by issues related to science and technology— from our prescription medicines to our computers and cell phones. A new science center will benefit all Saint Mary’s students through courses and programs for non-majors and will enhance the science literacy of the entire Winona community through science fairs, lectures and other educational activities.
Who will benefit from this capital enhancement project?
What is unique about Saint Mary’s science program?
Twenty-five percent of our students are pursuing science-related degrees. The educational programming made possible by
Saint Mary’s University is one of a select group of U.S. institutions honored by the John Templeton Foundation for “consciously
instilling integrity and value judgment into the educational experience of students.” Saint Mary’s science and technology graduates will have the skills they need to lead and succeed, as well as the ethical awareness and compassion to use their knowledge in the service of humanity.
How will Saint Mary’s fund its new science facility? In May 2008, we embarked on the most ambitious fundraising initiative in Saint Mary’s history to generate $20 million in support for this vital capital enhancement. Gifts of all sizes from alumni, parents and friends are needed to meet our goal and attract matching funds from foundations and corporations. Everyone in today’s world is A $2 million challenge grant is affected by issues related to science and technology. Our already in place proposed science center will to match pledges provide a strong foundation in the sciences for every Saint dollar for dollar Mary’s student and enhance the in the initial science literacy of the phase of our surrounding community through science fairs and programs for campaign. Winona residents.
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Improving the science literacy of all students is one of the greatest challenges that our society presently faces. Everyone in our society needs to better understand science and technology, not only for sound economic reasons but because understanding science enriches people’s lives and provides them with many important life skills, along with an appreciation of some of life’s deeper values. Really understanding science involves understanding the importance of truth and patience, how one effectively searches for knowledge in the midst of uncertainty, how one needs to be introspective and honest enough with oneself to test one’s beliefs, and the personal rewards, both practical and esthetic, that come from developing a breadth and depth of understanding about how the world works. These things are of vital importance to everyone, whether they become professional scientists or not.
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Russell A. Hulse, Ph.D. American physicist Nobel Laureate in Physics
A Place for Exploration and Discovery When our $20 million center for science education and research is completed, Saint Mary’s students will be able to pursue their passion for chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, experimental psychology or computer science in a collegial, interdisciplinary learning environment with state-of-the-art laboratories and learning tools.
Students pursuing the following areas of study or preparing for future careers as science educators will benefit from Saint Mary’s new center for science education and research:
Biology Department
Chemistry Department
Mathematics and Statistics Department
MAJORS: Biology Environmental Biology Life Sciences Education
MAJORS: Chemistry Biochemistry Chemistry Science Education
MAJORS: Mathematics Mathematics Education
ALLIED HEALTH MAJORS: Biology – Cytogenetic Technology Biology – Cytotechnology Biology – Medical Technology Biology – Nuclear Medicine Technology Biology – Pre-Physical Therapy
MINORS: Chemistry
MINORS: Biology Environmental Biology
PROGRAMS: Pre-Chemical Engineering Pre-Medical School
Computer Science Department MAJORS: Computer Engineering Computer Science E-Business Technology Mathematical/Computer Science MINORS: Computer Science Computer Technology
MINORS: Mathematics Statistics
Physics Department MAJORS: Biophysics Engineering Physics Physics Science Education MINORS: Physics
Psychology Department MAJORS: Psychology MINORS: Psychology
IMAGINE a vibrant center for education and research — where a dynamic community of students and faculty members from a variety of disciplines can work together in a collaborative setting that encourages innovation by facilitating the free exchange of information and ideas. Your support for Saint Mary’s extraordinary new home for the sciences is an investment that will have a greater impact on the future than you might imagine — from the development of renewable energy sources to the discovery of a cure for AIDS. Please consider making a gift to the Saint Mary’s Science Initiative today!
Office of Development & Alumni Relations 700 Terrace Heights #21 Winona, MN 55987 800-635-5987, ext. 1495 www.smumn.edu/giving
Learn more about Saint Mary’s at www.smumn.edu.