Last modified: Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Construction of new IUB science building to begin soon
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- With Indiana University administrators and local political leaders present, IU President Adam Herbert will break ground for IU Bloomington's new multidisciplinary science building Thursday (June 3) at 3 p.m.
In recognition of a $9 million gift from members of the Simon family, the building will be named Simon Hall as part of a future dedication ceremony.
During a 45-minute event in the Chemistry Building's Harry Day Lecture Hall, Room C122, Herbert and other presenters will discuss the importance of collaborative research and mark the beginning of construction by turning earth. Members of the Simon family, members of the IU Board of Trustees, IUB Interim Chancellor and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kenneth Gros Louis, IU Foundation President and CEO Curtis Simic, Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan, Indiana state legislators, and dozens of IU deans, chairs, faculty, staff and students are also expected to attend.
"Simon Hall will have a transformative influence on life science research on this campus," said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kumble R. Subbaswamy. "It is the first science building on campus specifically designed for multidisciplinary research, and it will increase available modern laboratory space, allowing us to expand research and teaching activities in a tangible way."
The science building will house the Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Measurement, the Johnson Center for Science and Entrepreneurship, and scientists in biochemistry and proteomics (the study of proteins in cells and tissues). Construction will officially begin this month and end in 2007.
Two additional science buildings, Multidisciplinary Science Building Phases II and III, are planned for sites just north of 10th Street, near the Geology Building. Planners currently anticipate Phase II will house earth and environmental scientists and neuroscientists.
"Indiana University excels in an impressive number of traditional scientific disciplines," said IU Vice President for Research Michael A. McRobbie. "Encouraging scientific inquiry that spans these disciplines in new multidisciplinary directions increases the depth and variety of research here, and enhances our reputation among the world's very best basic research universities."
To speak with Subbaswamy or McRobbie, contact David Bricker at 812-856-9035 or brickerd@indiana.edu.
