The College of St. Scholastica logoThe Science Initiative: Building Lives of Leadership

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Testimonials
I am delighted to contribute to what feels like a second home to me. St. Scholastica boasts an amazing Biology program with a history of excellent instruction and hands-on laboratory experiences. I will never forget the hours I spent in the Science Building and how that time enriched my life. I use those experiences in my work life each day, supervising biohazardous risk compliance in research.
- Tracy Henry, Class of 1998

The entire CSS community, particularly the biology and chemistry departments, gave me the critical foundation on which I am building my future career in dentistry. I wanted to give back the the programs which have given so much to me.
- Kacie Woodis, Class of 2006

I've noticed with some of my classes, such as General Chemistry or Genetics, that the labs are getting crowded. That will change after the Initiative.
- Dan Miller, Biology Major,
Pre-Med





"The Science Initiative is about facilities, but it's for students."
-- Larry Goodwin, President

Expanding our facilities

The Science Initiative was a fundraising drive in support of an expansion to the current Science Center, which was built over 40 years ago to serve 800 students. It now serves three times that number, and needed updated laboratory and classroom space. The expansion has helped St. Scholastica remain one of the top health sciences institutions in Minnesota.

Exterior of the Science Initiative Expansion

Exterior of the Science Center's expansion.

Expanding undergraduate research opportunities

Students prospered in the previous Science Center, but it lacked the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities that are necessary to remain a leader in health sciences. Professors are eager to expand undergraduate research partnerships, but were limited by the space available.

"I had a great experience, and I was able to do research with faculty members," says Jeff Brodin '06, a biochemistry major who is now a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California-San Diego. "I wish every student at St. Scholastica could have the same opportunity I did, but with the facilities as tight as they are now, there's no way.”


The new Benedictine Commons nurtures community and scholarship.

The new Benedictine Commons nurtures community and scholarship.

The details

The Science Initiative created a new 40,000 square-foot wing to enhance the College's existing 125,000 square-foot Science Center.

New features include:

  • 7 laboratories for chemistry and biochemistry
  • 6 faculty-undergraduate student research areas
  • 2 classrooms for pre-laboratory meetings and general class use
  • faculty offices
  • an atrium-style gathering area
  • a greenhouse
  • state-of-the-art environmental and sustainable technologies throughout, including for storage of chemicals and treatment of hazardous waste

The expansion opened in May 2012, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony to be held on the College's centennial date, Sept. 10, 2012, at 4 p.m.

Committed to sustainability

The Science Initiative promotes the College's Benedictine values by seeking LEED certification status. This national benchmark enables the College to identify and implement practical and measurable "green" building design, construction and operations.

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