Alumni and friends gathered July 15 to celebrate the progress of the capital campaign for new science facilities. The Science Scholars’ Wing reveal party included unveiling of renderings for Greenwood’s Science Scholars’ Laboratory with architect Tim Rosenbury, of Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, who observed, “We have been really impressed by the level of involvement from the parents, faculty and staff of Greenwood.”
The wing is expected to open in fall 2011. It will house two 1,800 square foot lab/classrooms with storage space, three study atriums, faculty offices and a large atrium area.
The Science Scholars’ Wing is so much more than a facility for Greenwood. In the new and renovated space, the possibilities are great. The innovative technology and facilities will coincide with enhanced curriculum as well. Teachers are currently working on curricular improvements, including more hands-on learning opportunities.
The academic benefits for Greenwood students are extensive. But it’s not just Greenwood students who will see the advantage. Missouri State students and science professors, as well as Summer Science Academy students from Springfield and across the state, will benefit from the education and research opportunities the new technology will provide. As an inquiry-based University laboratory school, Greenwood’s mission is to continue to pursue advanced educational techniques, especially in the science field. The addition will allow Greenwood and Missouri State to offer an educational science atmosphere unique to this region.
A capital campaign is underway to provide funding for the wing. An anonymous donor contributed $600,000 to the campaign and gave Greenwood supporters the opportunity to donate to the Science Scholars’ Laboratory and double the impact of their gifts. Since April 26, when the matching gift was announced, the campaign has raised nearly $500,000. The grand total raised for the campaign is approximately $2.4 million, with a goal of $2.5 million.
A joint grant totaling $65,000 from the William T. Kemper Foundation and the Commerce Bank Foundation was recently awarded to Greenwood Laboratory School for the Science Scholars’ Laboratory. “We are so grateful to Commerce Bank and the William T. Kemper Foundation for their generosity,” said Alan Rosen, Co-chair of the Science Scholars’ Laboratory capital campaign. “This grant fell within the time frame to take advantage of our $600,000 matching gift. It is really exciting to know that the $65,000 will really mean $130,000 to the project because each dollar given was matched by our donor.”
The Science Scholars’ Lab project is infusing excitement into Greenwood faculty, staff and alumni. “Science is the emphasis,” said Greenwood Director Janice Duncan, “but we know that when this is finished that others will step forward to say, ‘Now let’s make the art room state-of-the-art, or make English better.’ This project will impact so many! What excitement, what joy, what an accomplishment! And as I always say, for 103 years Greenwood has been getting better and better. With this foundation for the future, it will continue to do so.”
