Culminating a decade of planning and nearly two years of construction, the most ambitious building project in Lawrence University's 154-year history was officially unveiled Thursday, October 19, 2000, during formal dedication ceremonies for the college's new home for its molecular science programs.
Named simply Science Hall, the facility embodies Lawrence's commitment to an inquiry-based approach to science education, with an emphasis on cross- and inter-disciplinary connections. It is designed specifically to foster a culture in which teaching and research are closely intertwined.
The $18.1 million, three-story, 78,000-square foot Science Hall is the largest academic building on Lawrence's 84-acre campus. It was built on the site of the former 100-year-old Stephenson Hall, which was razed in the summer of 1998.
Science Hall is Lawrence's second major building dedication in the past three years and completes the second phase of a three-part master plan dedicated to science education. In October, 1997, Lawrence opened the $7.7 million, 55,400-square foot Lucia R. Briggs Hall of Mathematics and Social Sciences. The final phase of the science initiative will involve a major renovation of Youngchild Hall, including expanded and improved space for the physics and geology departments, as well as a portion of the biology department. Construction on that project has begun and is expected to be completed by the start of the 2001-2002 academic year.