The game changer.
That's how Phil Rath, vice president for Finance and Government Relations, described Vincennes University's future Center for Science, Engineering and Mathematics, to be built on the west side of campus on the former site of the baseball diamond across Chestnut Street from the Technology Center.
“There's a reason this facility is being build right across the street from the Technology Center,” he said. “The next great growth field is going to be in biotechnology, and with this building we're going to have students ready to step right into those positions and help Indiana expand that segment of the economy.
“This is going to be huge for us,” Rath said. “And huge for Southwestern Indiana. It's going to be a game changer.”
On Wednesday morning the university broke ground on the $27-million, 85,740-square-foot facility that will feature state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories.
VU president emeritus Dick Helton, back on campus for the first time since his retirement at the end of July, said the center will become the university's “signature building,” both in it's appearance and its purpose, and will help VU to continue to attract partnerships with other universities.
"It's going to be a beautiful facility and provide our students with first-class opportunities, the type of opportunities that won't be found on many other college campuses in the Midwest," Helton said.
Already, the new science center will be home to those VU students wanting to complete the final two years of a Purdue University bachelor's degree in engineering.
“As we look at opportunities for success, it all comes down to our students,” Helton told the crowd. “At the end of the day, if I may borrow my often-used phrase, that’s where the rubber meets the road. And folks, it’s all good.”
Interim president Chuck Johnson said the center will “literally change the look of Vincennes University.”
“But more importantly, it will project us further down the road for future curricular development,” he said.
The center will be housed in Updike Hall, named in honor of VU alums Bill and Libby Updike of Indianapolis who contributed $2 million to add to the $25 million approved by the state for the facility.
“I've always supported Vincennes University,” Updike told the crowd of people gathered at the site in celebration. “And now I'm in a position to support it even more. This is one of the best schools in the state, and I'm glad we were able to participate in this.”
Paul Wilder, dean of the university's college of science, engineering and math, called the groundbreaking ceremony a “red letter day” in VU's history.
“Every day we get up and make decisions,” he said. “We come to a fork in the road and we can choose the fork that maintains the status quo or the fork that represents opportunity. I'm glad to say we're in the opportunity business here at VU. We are here to help students discover their potential.
“(Updike Hall) will help us to offer enhanced educational opportunities within its walls,” he went on. “It will help us change lives.”
The building is touted as being very energy efficient, using high-efficient equipment and other “green” design elements. It will also include large group study areas, spaces for individual instruction and tutoring and collaborative office areas for faculty. It will also feature a large lounge to promote student and faculty interaction.
The general contractor on the project is Krempp Construction, Jasper, the same company that built VU's Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Fort Branch.
Site preparation is being done by Kerns Excavating in Bicknell, and the design architect is Gibraltar Design Inc. in Indianapolis.
Editor Gayle R. Robbins contributed to this report.