Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Life Sciences Center Dedication
By Lauren Stuever, Corner Post Staff

A NASA administrator will be in Columbia September 17 for the dedication of the Life Sciences Center. Other prominent figures attending the ceremony include Missouri’s Governor Bob Holden and Senator Kit Bond.

The ribbon cutting will begin at 1:30 in Monsanto Auditorium. Screens will be set up outside the building to accommodate the anticipated large crowd. The formal opening ceremony will include speeches and presentations made by Sean O’Keefe, NASA administrator; Mike Gerau, a senior microbiology major; Mike Roberts, Director of Life Sciences; and others involved with the project.

“This is a high profile project not only for the students but for the community as well,” said Jane Phillips, Life Sciences Director of Development.

This 124,000 net square feet building includes 50 research labs, five teaching/computer labs and an auditorium that seats 250. Facilities for imaging, genomics and proteomics are also available to students. Students and faculty from the following departments will have access to these resources: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Arts and Sciences; Engineering; Human Environmental Sciences; Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.

The center has also developed a mentoring program to help students throughout their collegiate career. The Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program has three key aspects: help in writing papers, making presentations, and interaction with faculty members.

“Getting involved in the research at the Life Science center as an undergraduate will allow underclassmen to get valuable experience as a researcher,” said Mike Gerau, a senior microbiology major.

Bond had a hand in getting NASA involved in the funding of the project. NASA contributed $29 million to the project with help from Bond. Other funding includes $30 million from the state of Missouri, $1 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration, and private funds from MOAg and MFA Incorporated. No tuition was used for the project.

An open house will follow the dedication of the Life Sciences Center.
Entertainment by Kansas City Jazz, St. Louis Blues, and Mid-Missouri Blue Grass will be present to represent the different areas of Missouri. Guided tours from students will also be available to the public.

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