A New Science Center
Saint Francis University has built a strong reputation for science, technology, and healthcare programs, yet as begin our journey toward a new science building, we have an opportunity to transform the way we educate our students. Your gift toward this new building project will have an impact far beyond traditional bricks and mortar.
The impact of a new science center
Teaching
Hands-on, interactive activities combined with sophisticated technological support are key features in a model science-based curriculum, yet many of our facilities are still set up primarily for passive learning in lecture halls. Our facilities must support problem-based learning in small groups as well as specialized lab and practice areas such as a marine training aquarium.
Scholarship
When Sullivan Hall was built, it was unheard of for undergraduate students to engage in original, individualized research. This was reserved for the graduate level and not considered a hallmark of a progressive liberal arts institution. Today, Saint Francis prides itself in engaging its students and their faculty mentors in original research from their freshman year onward, which requires smaller, specialized laboratories along with the more traditional laboratories housing advanced research equipment.
Community Outreach
Improved facilities will allow Saint Francis to expand efforts to serve the wider community in a manner true to Franciscan values and unique among institutions of higher education. For example, new science outreach facilities will allow our students and faculty to be more involved with K-12 STEM teachers and school children in Pennsylvania, engaging the best of the University’s energy and talents with badly needed reform in public education. New research laboratories will permit our students and faculty to apply state-of-the-art solutions to issues such as acid-mine drainage problems in Pennsylvania and internationally in counterpart communities in Bolivia.
About the project
Our student body includes a growing number of science majors and many others who take science courses as part of their core curriculum. In recent years, our health and medical offerings have attracted increasing numbers of talented students, and newer areas of study such as neuroscience, environmental science, forensic science and biochemistry have gained momentum at Saint Francis. Unfortunately, our existing facilities simply can no longer support these growing programs.
Thankfully our dream for a new sciences facility is becoming a reality. The University held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 70,000 square foot science center on Oct. 7, 2011 and construction is expected to be completed in fall 2013. In December 2010, Governor Rendell authorized the release of $7 million for construction of the science center. Governor Tom Corbett reviewed the project in early 2011 and reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment in May 2011. The remainder of the total project cost of $27 will be funded through a combination of financing and private donations.
Webcam of live construction site
Floor Plans
Room Descriptions
Naming Opportunities
Support the Project
To learn how you can support this project contact the Office of Advancement at 814-472-3021.