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Construction Begins on Math and Science Center
by Matt Allen
For the first time in thirty-three years, Mars Hill College has begun construction on a new academic facility. It is the new Ferguson Math and Science Center.
The building is named after Carolyn and Jack Ferguson of Candler, North Carolina, who have pledged about half of the expected $12.8 million cost of the building.
The rest of the money for construction and for renovation of the existing Wall science building has come from a low interest loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Community Development initiative. The land for the building was donated by J.C. Ponder, who grew up on the property.
"The new science center is obviously needed," said Alan Smith, associate professor of biology. "There has been talk of a new science building for almost twenty years, but no real action until two years ago."
The current Wall science building was erected in 1940 during the era of World War II. "When the Ferguson science building is finished, Wall Science will be gutted and renovated and will have more non-science classes than science," said Smith.
The Ferguson building will be a three-story complex that will connect to the current Wall science portion. "State-of-the-art chemistry and biology labs will be located in the new building. With smaller labs focused on cell biology, genetics, and biochemistry, the problem of decreased lab space will be diminished," said Smith
The building will also have special rooms equipped for physics, mathematics and meteorology. "The smaller rooms for individual student projects will be an added plus for the center," Smith said. The center will have numerous offices and an elevator for handicapped accessibility.
The contractors for the building are based in east Tennessee, and the project is scheduled for completion in Summer 2008. As of right now the project is still in the grading stage, but building will begin soon.
There have been few frustrations involved with the construction so far. Although Smith did add, "I was so used to the parking right behind the building. It has been different searching for a parking place across the street."
"Some of the oldest trees on campus stood right in the middle of the property," Smith sadly added. "The black gum was 115-118 years old, and the white oak was at least 100 years old. I counted the rings after they cut them down." Only a few lucky trees are somehow still dodging the bulldozers and chainsaws.
In an earlier interview, Associate Professor of Biology Scott Pearson said that the college expects a 30 percent growth in the number of students in science and math majors.
The faculty appears to be more excited that anyone else about the new progress. "This new building will be a great recruitment tool for the department, where the current one is more of a turn-off," Smith said. "We all believe that the students will be able to accomplish great things in the best of environments."
Andrea Rockel, alumna, 3/6/2007, 2:19:44 p.m.
I'm so glad to see that the project is finally underway! This will be such a huge boost to teaching and recruiting for the science majors - I can't wait to see the fantastic ways this will improve Mars Hill.
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