Sugar Grove — Waubonsee Community College kicked-off a yearlong 40th anniversary celebration during the open house and grand opening ceremony for the college’s new Science Building Aug. 25.
“This ceremony officially launches the 40th anniversary celebration for Waubonsee and serves as the official dedication and grand opening of our new Science Building,” Waubonsee President Dr. Christine Sobek said. “We are very fortunate to be able to recognize and honor the founding of our college on a day when we are also commemorating the dedication of one of the region’s most state-of-the-art science centers. The board of trustees, and the faculty and staff, are extremely proud of this new facility that will meet the needs of thousands of our current Waubonsee students, as well as the needs of our future community of learners.”
Taking place on the north side of Waubonsee’s Sugar Grove Campus, the Science Building grand opening included a self-guided tour and demonstrations from science faculty that showcased how the building is uniquely designed to facilitate teaching and learning in the fields of biology, chemistry, earth sciences, geography and geology. The event, which was open to the public, concluded with a building plaque dedication and time capsule interment.
The self-guided tour and exciting, participatory faculty demonstrations allowed attendees to isolate their own DNA, view the state-of-the-art technology utilized in the classrooms, learn how groundwater is checked for contamination, and learn how relative humidity and dew point are measured.
Waubonsee’s science faculty worked collaboratively to incorporate the custom educational features utilized in the new building. Many of these enhancements increase student classroom involvement opportunities.
A weather station and seismograph give students access to real-time weather and earthquake data. An overhead camera system in the anatomy and physiology labs allows for more students to participate in detailed cadaver study. A fourier transform infrared spectrometer and gas chromatograph enables advanced organic and inorganic chemistry analysis. A thermocycler allows students to analyze DNA using the Polymerase Chain Reaction, a sophisticated technique that has revolutionized genetic analysis. A fossil preparation lab with more than 100 specimens of minerals, rocks, fossils and shells enables students to analyze their field samples.
The 46,590-square-foot building significantly increases classroom and laboratory space for Waubonsee’s science programs, which are often some of the classes in highest demand at the college. The building features four tiered, lecture-style classrooms, media-ready instructor stations, wireless access with laptops for student use, two chemistry
classrooms, two general chemistry labs, one organic chemistry lab, two earth sciences labs, two anatomy and physiology labs, one microbiology lab, one lab for biology majors, one non-majors biology lab, one environmental biology lab and one general lab.
“The Science Building is the first academic building of the 2020 College Master Plan to be completed, and it is one of the most
technologically sophisticated,” said Dr. Deborah Lovingood, executive vice president of Educational Affairs and Chief Learning Officer.
Architectural firm Holabird & Root designed the building, and Turner Construction managed the construction of the project.
The time capsule, which was interred as part of the grand opening ceremony, will preserve the date in history. Contents include a letter from Waubonsee President Dr. Christine Sobek, current science textbooks, air and water samples, on-campus flora and fauna specimens, campus and student photos, a photo from the Science Building groundbreaking ceremony, and samples of current Waubonsee publications.
“The Science Building faculty and staff sought a unique idea to commence the celebration of Waubonsee’s 40th anniversary and to memorialize the many distinct aspects of the college and its science program today,” Dean for Health and Life Sciences Jess Toussaint said. “We selected a time capsule, which will not only capture these elements, but will be housed in a display case at the north entrance of the building.”
As part of the grand opening and college’s 40th anniversary celebration, Dr. José Magaña, a Waubonsee alumnus and internal medicine physician for the Dreyer Medical Clinic, was recognized as Waubonsee’s first “Fabulous 40” alumnus.
“We are very proud to recognize Dr. Magana for his commitment of lifelong learning, his professional achievements and community service, and his noteworthy accomplishments while a Waubonsee Student,” Dr. Sobek said.
As part of the college’s yearlong 40th anniversary celebration, which officially begins with the Science Building opening, Waubonsee will honor 40 alumni and students who embody the mission, vision and values of the college. Selected alumni and students will be recognized throughout the
year. These alumni and students will represent the diversity of Waubonsee’s students and the college district, as well as the diversity of the college’s mission as a comprehensive community college.
As one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state, Waubonsee draws its students from a vast community of learners that today includes more than 325,000 residents who live in portions of Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, LaSalle and Will counties. Since its founding in 1966, the college has provided services to nearly 250,000 people.
“This academic year marks a milestone for Waubonsee Community College as we celebrate 40 years of student success,” Dr. Sobek said. “This significant anniversary provides a wonderful opportunity for all of us to look back with pride and gratitude on the community leaders and residents, who in 1966 had the vision to create an institution which would serve the educational needs of area residents.”
To meet future demand, the college’s board of trustees adopted a blueprint for the future — the 2020 College Master Plan — that outlines the facilities necessary to meet the needs of students, both now and into the future. The 2020 College Master Plan centers on the construction of four new and two expanded facilities on the Sugar Grove Campus, remodeling of existing facilities, a new downtown Aurora Campus, and development and construction of a Plano Campus. The new Science Building is the second building completed as part of the 2020 College Master Plan.
Waubonsee Board of Trustees Chair Richard “Shorty” Dickson thanked the community for their support of the 2020 College Master Plan with the successful passage of college referenda in 2002 and 2003.
“All of these projects would not be possible without your support,” he said. “On behalf of the board, the students, the staff, and the faculty, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our college district residents.”
The theme for Waubonsee’s 40th anniversary is “Celebrating 40 Years of Student Success.” Special events are planned for the next year including a Founder’s Day event in February 2007, the unveiling of a Waubonsee Athletics Hall of Fame in May 2007, and the capstone event — the grand opening of the Academic and Professional Center in September 2007. More information and updates are available online at www.waubonsee.edu/forty. |
