A joint grant totaling $65,000 from the William T. Kemper Foundation and the Commerce Bank Foundation has been 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 Cheryl Burnett, director of development for Missouri State University. “This grant falls 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 is matched by our donor.”

An anonymous donor has given Greenwood supporters more time to donate to the Science Scholars’ Laboratory and double the impact of their gifts. The deadline for Greenwood to raise $600,000 and receive a matching gift of $600,000 is Aug. 15. Since April 26, when the matching gift was announced, the campaign has raised $445,535.38. The total raised for the campaign is $2,208,407.38. The goal is $2.5 million.

The wing will house two 1,800 square foot lab/classrooms with associated storage space, three study atriums, faculty offices and a large atrium.

“We are so excited to see this project moving forward,” said Greenwood Director Dr. Janice Duncan. “This laboratory will provide our students with the equipment and facilities to help them maintain their excellent performance in the sciences.”

Greenwood students, MSU students and MSU science professors, as well as Summer Science Scholars Academy students from Springfield and across the state, will benefit from the science education and research opportunities available. The latest teaching techniques and exploration of the science of medicine, as well as other areas of science education, will be emphasized. With the addition of this facility, Greenwood and Missouri State will offer an educational science atmosphere unique to this region.

The two classroom labs are named for two former Greenwood science instructors, Dr. Efton R. (Heavy) Henderson, who taught at Greenwood from 1926-66; and Robert J. McLaren, who followed from 1966 and retired in 1991. Greenwood alumni from these eras will remember the quality of instruction and mentorship provided by these two educators.

Plans for the new wing at Greenwood Laboratory School were revealed at a special event July 18.