Science Building Officially Opens with Ribbon-cutting
DePaul celebrated the opening of the Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Science Building, centerpiece of the university's $20 million Campaign for Excellence in Science, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 6.
Close to 200 guests, including community leaders and DePaul trustees, attended the event, which also was aimed at thanking alumni, corporations, foundations, friends and the State of Illinois, as well as faculty, staff, students and volunteers for their support of the campaign. The Most Rev. Francis J. Kane, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago, led prayers and blessed the new building.
The Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., president of DePaul, thanked the "many women and men who stepped forward and gave their time, passion and resources to raise DePaul another step higher." He noted that DePaul is honored by having the name of the late Monsignor McGowan, a renowned priest, philanthropist and toastmaster, "permanently associated with our institution."
Holtschneider said DePaul is similarly proud that the new facility is physically connected with the William G. McGowan Science Building, named for Monsignor McGowan's late brother and founder of both MCI Communications and the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. Under the leadership of Sue Gin, DePaul trustee and science campaign co-chair, the fund has been a great supporter of science at DePaul. Gin is William G. McGowan's widow.
Campaign co-chair Frank M. Clark (COM '72, JD '76), chairman and CEO of ComEd, noted that with the new science building DePaul has the capacity to educate more students, create more programs and give back to local communities through education and through supporting local environmental organizations.
Other speakers included DePaul's Board of Trustees Chair Mary A. Dempsey (JD '82), chemistry department chair Professor Richard Niedziela (LAS '88), and environmental sciences major Amy Sparrow.
View pictures from the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on January 6, 2009
Leaders from DePaul and the community in a photo op.
Front: The Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., DePaul president; John Volk, Seminary Townhouse Association president; Ken Feldbein, Wrightwood Neighbors Association member; Vi Daley, alderman of Chicago's 43rd ward; Scott Waguespack, alderman of Chicago's 32nd ward; and Mary A. Dempsey (JD '82), DePaul Board of Trustees chair.
Back: Helmut Epp, DePaul provost; Allan Mellis, Wrightwood Neighbors Association member; Laury Lewis, Sheffield Neighborhood Association president; Ted Wrobleski, Sheffield Neighborhood Association member; and Charles Snelling, Student Government Association president at DePaul.