The Pride Online -Summer 2004

Page 7

“A New Era Has Begun.”

Groundbreaking ceremony for the new Science & Technology Center

At top left: At the podium is Brian Rodgers, a Texas A&M University-Commerce undergraduate student from Farmersville. Brian is speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Science & Technology Center. Seated from left are Tammy Nichols, Paris graduate student; Dr. Jena Hamra, assistant professor in biological, earth and environmental sciences; Dr. Benton Cocanougher, interim chancellor of The Texas A&M University System; Dr. Keith McFarland, president of A&MCommerce; State Senator Bob Deuell of Greenville; and State Representative Dan Flynn of Canton.

At top right: From left are Interim Chancellor Benton Cocanougher, State Senator Bob Deuell, and President Keith McFarland, suiting up with construction hats and shovels for the groundbreaking festivities.

That is what state lawmakers and representatives from The Texas A&M University System said of the groundbreaking for the new Science & Technology Center.

At the ceremony in April, speakers termed the event a milestone for the institution and the beginning of a new era when the sciences will expand and play a prominent role on campus.

State Senator Bob Deuell, State Representative Dan Flynn, and Dr. Benton Cocanougher, Interim Chancellor for The Texas A&M University System, traveled to Commerce for the event.

Construction is currently under way for the $28 million state-of-the-art facility, which is the largest and most expensive construction project in the history of A&M-Commerce, according to President Keith McFarland.

It will also be the first new solely academic building on campus in close to 30 years.

Target date for completion of the building is the fall of 2005 with students and faculty using the facility in the spring of 2006.

Photos of the Science & Technology Center construction are posted on the A&M-Commerce Web site as the work progresses.

Please refer to www.tamucommerce.edu/university/construction.asp.

Science & Technology Quick Facts

100,000 square-foot facilty will cost $28 million and is largest and most expensive construction project ever undertaken at the University
Located between Gee Lake and the new Student Recreation Center
Target completion date is late 2005, with students using the building in the spring of 2006.
Building designed by architecture firm Jennings *Hackler of Dallas, contracting by Manhattan Construction of Dallas
Features modern laboratories for biological and agricultural sciences as well as chemistry, physics, and computer science
Large auditorium-style classrooms with wireless Internet capability throughout the building
One of the only planetariums in the region

Architectural rendering of the new Science & Technology Center

The building’s 40-foot dome will be visible along Highway 50, serving as a point of pride for the University. Inside, the dome will serve as a multipurpose theater where an array of surround-style presentations can be created and displayed—from demonstrations by
math faculty and multi-dimensional design shows by art students to a simulated trip through the human nervous system via a professionally produced video.

“I recently read a story in The New York Times that Harvard University had completed a review of its undergraduate curriculum and has decided to put more emphasis on science and technology – just as we are doing at Texas A&M University-Commerce with this state-of-the art facility. I will assume your vision came first and Harvard is just trying to catch up.”

- Dr. Benton Cocanougher,
Interim Chancellor, The Texas A&M University System

“Everywhere I go in my district, many young people tell me about their experience here.”

- The Honorable Dan Flynn,
State Representative, District Two

“Every teacher trained in the building will influence thousands of
students.”

- Brian Rodgers,
Undergraduate biology and chemistry major from Farmersville

......................................................................................
Watch as the construction progresses at
www.tamu-commerce.edu/university/construction.asp
......................................................................................