UVU opened a new Science Building on April 20. The 160,000 square-foot building contains 18 lecture classrooms, 27 laboratory classrooms, 12 research laboratories and a 400-seat auditorium — the largest auditorium on campus.
The opening ceremonies for the new building lasted two days. On Thursday, April 19, local high school students were invited to tour the new building.
The grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony were held on Friday, April 20. Speakers included Sam Rushforth, Dean of the College of Science and Health, Matthew S. Holland, President of UVU and Governor Gary Herbert.
Sam Rushforth spoke on the assets of the building. He also praised the faculty saying that they were first class.
“There’s nothing in here that’s second class.” Rushforth said
President Holland spoke on students’ role in making the building a reality. He invited Christopher Lange, former UVUSA Health and Science Senator, to speak about fundraisers and student involvement in signing petitions to help with the construction of the building.
Lange explained that even though most of the students that helped with fundraisers and petitions would never take a class in the new building, they wanted the future generation of students to be benefited because of the new Science Building.
As the key-note speaker, Gov. Herbert spoke on the importance of education and its role in creating jobs. He praised UVU for being a “great example of getting great, quality education for lower cost.”
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, free tours and refreshments were provided. Lectures were also given by Erin Bigler, a brain researcher and professor of psychology and neuroscience at BYU, Valerie Hu, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at The George Washington Medical Center and Daniel Fairbanks, a biologist and associate dean of UVU’s College of Science and Health.
