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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Many thanks were handed out to a number of people across the state as Valley City State University officials and so many others dedicated the .3 million renovation and expansion of the L.D. Rhoades Science Center Friday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
(L to R Drew Wrigley, North Dakota Lieutenant Governor says a project like this helps promote North Dakota by attracting students from other states. Dr. Steven W. Shirley, VCSU president says the project received support statewide to advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math known as STEM.)
L to R Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota superintendent of public instruction and VCSU alumna says the facility is one tool to guide young people into the STEM field industry. Ray Holmberg, North Dakota District 17 state senator and chair of the appropriations committee help guide the capital improvement project to passage during the 2011 legislature session.
L to R Erika Schumacher, VCSU alumna and Dickinson veterinarian. Joe Stickler VCSU professor emeritus of science says the addition is a lifelong dream by so many people to have a first rate facility to educate future students. Stickler also applauded the energy efficiency of the new building. He said the new building is double in size but will save energy by have the same utility bill annually.
L to R Hilde Van Gijssel advocated building a new facility shortly after she arrived at VCSU some 10 years ago. Larry Robinson, VCSU alumnus and executive director of university advancement, and North Dakota District 24 state senator helped guide the capital improvement bill during the 2011 legislative session.
Rhoades Science Center underwent an intensive renovation and expansion doubling the square footage of the building.The renovation was completed on time and within the allowed state budget.
Far left former VCSU President Dr. Ellen Chaffee attended the ceremony. Far right from Left to Right Joe Stickler, Erika Schumacher, Kirsten Baesler, Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley and VCSU President Dr. Steven Shirley.
The building features a new heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system, along with new mechanical and electrical systems.
Lots of smiling faces during the ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, October 4 2013. On October 5 1973 the original Rhoades Science Center building was dedicated.
Housed in Rhoades Science Center are classrooms, laboratories and offices for the VCSU science and math departments, and offices and facilities for the university’s information technology services. The Great Plains STEM Education Center is also housed in the building, as is VCSU’s collaborative nursing program with Dakota College at Bottineau.
Construction and design on Rhoades Science Center was done by the following firms: JLG Architects (architect); JP Structures, Inc. (general contractor); Midwest Mechanical Construction LLC (mechanical contractor); Dakota Electric Construction Company Inc. (electrical contractor); Innovative Laboratory Systems, Inc. (laboratory design consultant); Kadrmas, Lee, & Jackson (civil engineer); Heyer Engineering, Inc. (structural engineer); Obermiller Nelson Engineering (mechanical engineer); Ulteig Engineers (electrical engineer); and Land Elements (landscape architect).
Rhoades Science Center is named for L.D. “Dusty” Rhoades, who taught chemistry and physics at VCSU from 1919 to 1961.