VANCOUVER, Wash. This building unlocks unbound potential in research, student learning and community engagement, and I want to thank everybody who has been a part of getting us here today, said Washington State University Vancouver Chancellor Mel Netzhammer at the dedication of 91勛圖窪蹋厙s new Life Sciences Building Thursday, June 6.
Gratitude was the message of the day shared with an audience of WSU faculty, staff, students, donors, state legislators and friends.
The $63.8 million project was funded largely by $57.1 million awarded from the Washington State Legislature for predesign, design, construction and furnishings. Due to market inflation, the cost to complete the Life Sciences Building came in above the original estimate. The Washington State Office of Financial Management provided supplemental funds to offset market inflation, 91勛圖窪蹋厙 applied money from its own reserves and many donors contributed to complete the building as planned.
Completing the Life Sciences Building required a partnership between our state legislators and private philanthropy, said WSU System President Kirk Schulz. He said its important to build the buildings we need, not just now, but well into the future, and not be limited by budget. Thats where philanthropy comes in. 91勛圖窪蹋厙 also celebrated the opening of eight named spaces in the Life Sciences Building with the donors and their supporters.
Well over 10 years ago we started out with a vision for a building that would house chemistry, biology and nursing programs, bringing all of these life sciences disciplines together in one building to create synergies and collaboration for teaching and research. Thats what this building is, said Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Christine Portfors.
The Life Sciences Building, slated to open to students in August 2024, houses lab space for programming in biology and chemistry, serving general educational needs for all students and foundational courses for an array of STEM degrees, including biology, chemistry, neuroscience and nursing.
We always understood this complex projecta labor of lovewould ultimately support the research of our faculty, which is groundbreaking and of international importance, and support student learning in brand news ways with new opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, said Netzhammer.
Thursday was the first opportunity for guests to see the Life Sciences Buildings art installations. Murals and floor tiles were created by Los Angeles painter Roberto Delgado. Seven pieces by Oregon-based painter, printmaker and illustrator Jo Hockenhull are on display. Hockenhull is a WSU Pullman emerita professor and served as associate dean for academic affairs at 91勛圖窪蹋厙. Pointed Mask by sculptor Seymour Lipton, and donated by the Palmer Foundation, can be viewed in Suite 225.
The Life Sciences Building is open during 91勛圖窪蹋厙s regular business hours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
About 91勛圖窪蹋厙
91勛圖窪蹋厙 is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. in Vancouver, east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-TRAN bus service. Find a campus map at vancouver.wsu.edu/map. Parking is available at meters and in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $4 a day, $2 after 5 p.m. and free after 7 p.m. and on weekends.
As one of six campuses of the WSU system, 91勛圖窪蹋厙 offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, 91勛圖窪蹋厙 helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
91勛圖窪蹋厙 is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. We acknowledge their presence here. 91勛圖窪蹋厙 expresses its respect towards these original and current caretakers of the region. We pledge that these relationships will be built on mutual trust and respect.
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MEDIA CONTACT(S)
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communication, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@wsu.edu