It's been a decade of planning. Seven years of fundraising. Eleven months of construction. Nearly 2,600 donors contributed over $14.9 million to create a state-of-the-art facility for science and mathematics at Union College. And at 8:30 a.m. on March 5, that vision and dedication became reality as classes began for the first time in the new Krueger Center.
Fifty-nine percent of Union College students major in fields in or closely related to mathematics and the sciences, and the new 57,000 square foot facility gives those programs room to grow and thrive. The building includes:
- A 126-seat amphitheater
- Two configurable classrooms for lecture or team learning
- Two combination biology lab/lecture spaces
- Five dedicated biology teaching laboratories
- Five chemistry teaching laboratories.
- Two combination lab/lecture spaces for physics and engineering
- One teaching laboratory for modern physics
- Eight research labs for faculty and students to engage in personal research projects
- Four student commons and study spaces
- Fourteen faculty offices designed for teacher and student interactions such as advising and tutoring
- Dedicated work areas for student assistants
Before classes started, a festive atmosphere filled the entry of the Krueger Center. A short ceremony was held at 7:50 a.m. featuring a light breakfast, a few remarks from administrators, faculty and students, and the handing over of a symbolic key to the Division of Science and Mathematics. Because the opening was first thing in the morning, attendees were invited to join Dr. Wagner, the college president, in wearing their pajamas to the event. A more formal grand opening/ribbon cutting event with tours is planned for Thursday, May 8 from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Peruse the gallery below to see the new facility.
