Herbert Dow Doan Science Building

In 1997, the state of Michigan approved funding for construction of the Herbert Dow Doan Science Building, which opened in early 2001.

Herbert Dow Doan Science Building

The Herbert Dow Doan Science Building, commonly referred to as “Science East” by the campus population, was the first academic building project completed after the unveiling of the 1996 Campus Master Plan. The idea for a new instructional facility initially emerged in the early 1990s as space for the nursing program. Soon a greater need for more classrooms and laboratories for general sciences courses became apparent, shifting planning to a new science building. Preliminary designs had the proposed building east of Collings Drive adjacent to the Ryder Center. The administration quickly decided on its eventual location, adjoining Zahnow Library and the existing science building, which was renamed Science West following renovations and the completion of the new structure. The university, once planners were satisfied, began the process of obtaining state funding.37

In 1997, the Legislature approved a $25 million loan to SVSU for construction of an instructional science facility, provided that the university matched 25 percent of that amount.