Even as the board of directors was celebrating the dedication of Hollenbeck Hall during its Jan. 28 meeting, President Tipson was directing the board’s attention toward two other massive challenges: the renovation of Myers Hall and the expansion of Science Hall.

The board reviewed the needs and plans for both projects and voted to continue with planning and design. Fund raising is still continuing for Hollenbeck but because of the pressing need for updated housing and science facilities, the board decided to step up fund raising for the two additional goals.

The board has retained the architects for Hollenbeck Hall, MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, of Pittsburgh to design the historic renovation of the 150-year-old Myers Hall. Entering its third century, this historic treasure is a common thread that runs through the college memories of virtually all alumni.

This old friend has been overdue for historic, functional and safety renovations, and the Wittenberg community is committed to preserving this symbol of tradition and strength. Although Myers is still a popular residence hall for students, its aging electrical and other infrastructure systems make a complete renovation necessary.

Science facilities at Wittenberg are also slated for modernization as the new century opens. After 30 years, Science Hall needs expansion and updating. The explosion of scientific inquiry during those years has greatly expanded the economy and improved lives. But as science knowledge grew, its character also changed.

In the decades since Science Hall was designed, not only has science changed, but Wittenberg has also. The need for science literacy has grown, and about half of Wittenberg students now take a general education course in science each year, according to Provost Sammye Greer. This spring, 903 students were enrolled in introductory science courses.

Since Science Hall was built, the number of students studying science has doubled, and the number of science faculty has increased 50 percent. Such increases translate into a building with cramped labs and classrooms where faculty offices are made from converted closets.

Today one out of three prospective students expresses an interest in a science major, Greer said. Just 10 years ago 12 percent of Wittenberg students majored in science fields. Today 25 percent major in science. That adds up to a record high of 246 science majors, Greer added.

The people at Wittenberg have outgrown the building, but so has science itself. “Today we see a doubling of knowledge every seven years,” explained Timothy Lewis, associate professor of biology and department chair. “Science Hall was designed for a time when science was taught by lectures and by standard ‘cookbook’ lab exercises.

“Now we can’t memorize all there is to know,” he added. “That is why today we teach students that they have to think like a scientist. Learning science today is an active process — students learn science by doing science, and that takes a lot more space.”

—Jim Dexter