51ÁÔÆæ Chancellor Mark Mone led an enthusiastic grand opening ceremony for 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s brand-new Chemistry Building Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n
More than 200 students, faculty, staff, government representatives and friends of 51ÁÔÆæ packed into one of the building\u2019s many sleek, modern lecture halls for the celebration. It was all punctuated by a flash-bang, fireball-producing chemical reaction \u2013 ignited by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Wisconsin State Sen. Duey Stroebel \u2013 that drew a final round of cheers from the crowd.<\/p>\n
The event marked the completion of six years of design and construction, capping a significant milestone in 51ÁÔÆæ’s commitment to advancing scientific education and research. Mone shared how the facility is a destination for science students and will play a crucial role in educating the next generation of STEM professionals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what it\u2019s all about, preparing students for their future,\u201d Mone said.<\/p>\n
More than 3,500 51ÁÔÆæ students take chemistry or biochemistry classes each year. They can now do so in a four-story, 163,400-square-foot building that represents a significant leap forward from the previous chemistry facility, which was built in 1972.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is really, truly breathtaking,\u201d Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents President Amy Bogost said of the facility. \u201cThis moment is amazing. The amount of people to make this dream come to fruition is really amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n