Doors Open on New Academic Center & Science Center Expansion
The doors to Endicott College’s brand-new Samuel C. Wax Academic Center and to the Ginger Judge Science Center expansion have officially opened after ribbon cutting celebrations were held this week.
The first ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday—held for the Science Center expansion—included speakers Dr. Katie Barnes, interim president of Endicott; Ginger Judge, Class of 1951 member and Endicott trustee; Dr. Gene Wong, dean of Endicott’s School of Arts & Sciences; and Lee Dellicker of Windover Construction.
During the celebration, Wong shared “This expansion is needed to accommodate growth in our science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. In just five short years, the existing science center hit its capacity as the STEM program grew in enrollment and we added the engineering curriculum which required more space.” He also said that STEM faculty have put the current science center facilities to full use, ensuring that students are exposed and trained in the latest technology in their respective fields.
The new facility touches on all of the STEM areas with offices, laboratories, and an enlarged Makerspace for the engineering program, classrooms that will host many mathematics courses, and a biotechnology incubator. Wong said that the Ginger Judge Science Center has allowed Endicott to make a quantum leap forward in facilities and instrumentation, and that the expansion will provide additional capabilities that faculty, students, and industry, will need to remain current and competitive in the region and at the state and national level.
Judge, who made the expansion possible, shared remarks as well. “When I graduated, Endicott was a two-year school with 300 girls. What’s happening now is fantastic. Endicott graduates are well-educated, well-trained, well-mannered, and they will go on to do great things. Anyone who knows the College, thinks so highly of the College. It’s a pleasure to help out with this expansion and see it come to life.” Judge also shared that she’s honored to have her name on this building.
Thursday’s ribbon cutting for the new Academic Center was followed by a reception celebrating the building as the new home of the Van Loan School of Graduate & Professional Studies at Endicott. Speakers at the event included Barnes; Dellicker; Laura Rossi-Le, vice president & dean of the undergraduate college; Dr. Chrystal Porter, associate provost of the Van Loan School; Tia Van Loan, longtime friend of the College; and Anna Battista and Karen Rose, Van Loan students.
Dr. Chrystal Porter shared “This new home is going to foster our students learning, allow us to deliver quality student services, and enable our ability to grow and enhance the offerings of the Van Loan School.” Porter also shares that having Van Loan students, faculty, and staff on the main campus is only going to strengthen the relationships between schools and departments and serve as a great opportunity to further advance the academic experience of students.
Phase II of the Academic Center will begin after Commencement exercises and is expected to open in January 2021. Connected by a second floor walkway to the new Samuel C. Wax Academic Center, it will contain a large lecture hall, classrooms, a dance practice studio, and an expanded Courtyard Café.
“Endicott’s trajectory of growth continues, as does our investment in top-caliber facilities that ensure our students learn in classrooms, laboratories, and makerspaces that align with the careers of the twenty-first century” said Barnes.
Stay up to date with the latest construction happenings on campus by visiting endicott.edu.