Construction begins
10/06/2021
The ceremonial groundbreaking of the Austin E. Knowlton Science Center was performed by Dr. Stephen Harnish, mathematical and natural sciences department chair; Dr. Deborah Myers, health sciences department chair; Dr. Lamar Nisly, vice president and dean of academic affairs; Robin Bowlus MBA 鈥17, vice president of advancement and enrollment management; Ed Diller 鈥69, board member for the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation; Dr. Jane M. Wood, president; Greg Wannemacher 鈥77, co-chair of the Simply Innovate Campaign; Dr. Hans Houshower, retired vice president of advancement; Haley Byrnes 鈥23, exercise science major; and Zachary Nobis 鈥22, biology major.
Expected to open in 2023:
features nutrition and dietetics, chemistry and biology teaching labs
After an Oct. 1, 2021, groundbreaking, construction is now underway on the Austin E. Knowlton Science Center at 小优传媒. The two-story, nearly 20,000 square foot building will feature six labs, faculty offices and interactive collaborative space for students.
The groundbreaking kicked off Homecoming and Alumni Weekend 2021 at Bluffton with more than 100 people gathered for the ceremony.
鈥淎s most building projects go, there were years of visioning, planning and many conversations with students, donors, faculty and staff on what Bluffton needed to drive science teaching and learning into future generations,鈥 said Dr. Jane M. Wood, president of 小优传媒. 鈥淭his facility will help ensure science education here lives out Bluffton鈥檚 mission to 鈥榩repare all students for life as well as vocation.鈥欌
Named after Austin E. Knowlton, the $10 million building will feature teaching labs for nutrition and dietetics, chemistry and biology and is expected to be open in 2023.
Bluffton alumnus, former chair of Bluffton鈥檚 Board of Trustees, and current Knowlton Foundation Trustee, Ed Diller, spoke on behalf of the Knowlton Foundation, which provided the $4 million naming gift for the science center.
鈥淏luffton is known for its quality education and, of course, for the quality of its graduates. Consequently, the Knowlton Foundation is very pleased to partner with Bluffton for the Knowlton Science Center,鈥 said Diller. 鈥淭his facility will enhance the great education that Bluffton already provides.鈥
Austin E. Knowlton was the owner and chairman of the Knowlton Construction Company in Bellefontaine, Ohio. During his tenure, he led more than 600 major construction projects across Ohio and the Midwest. The Knowlton Foundation鈥檚 goal is to improve and support STEM education, particularly on college campuses. The foundation also awards scholarships to Bluffton mathematics and science students each year.
Zachary Nobis 鈥22, a biology and chemistry double major from Bryan, Ohio, also spoke at the groundbreaking. One of Bluffton鈥檚 Knowlton Scholars, Nobis is currently applying to medical schools.
鈥淢y science faculty have prepared me well, and I鈥檓 excited for the faculty and the next generation of Bluffton science students to learn in the new building,鈥 said Nobis. 鈥淧lease share our appreciation with the Knowlton Foundation for their investment in us and future generations of Bluffton alumni.鈥
Exercise science major Haley Byrnes 鈥23 shared a few thoughts on science education at Bluffton and the impact of Bluffton鈥檚 last building project on her education.
鈥淚 often think about what my Bluffton story would be like in sports medicine if it wasn鈥檛 for the Sommer Center,鈥 said Byrnes, of Worthington, Ohio. 鈥淚t has made a real difference in my educational experience, and I know the Knowlton Science Center will do the same.鈥
Funding for the Knowlton Science Center was part of the 5-year, $26 million dollar Simply Innovate Campaign, which successfully concluded in June with additional funds providing annual support, endowment growth and academic program development.
Greg 鈥77 and Donna (Thompson 鈥78) Wannemacher, Lima, Ohio, and Dave 鈥82 and Tanya (Lehman 鈥83) Baumgartner, Berne, Ind., served as campaign chairs. Greg Wannemacher provided remarks during the ceremony.
鈥淏luffton alumni and donors carry a strong passion for leading lives of purpose. I want to share appreciation to the Simply Innovate donors: alumni, friends and of course the many faculty and staff for their commitments and gifts to the campaign,鈥 said Wannemacher. 鈥淒uring the last few years of uncertainty with the pandemic, it is encouraging to be here today, to break ground on the Knowlton Science Center.鈥
Construction is now underway at the Knowlton site, starting with the removal of a portion of Rosenberger Drive. The facility is expected to take 18-24 months to construct. Live view of the progress are available at .