Plan your weekend around the activities on campus at Wabash this weekend and you will not be disappointed.
Things get started on Friday when Class Agents and our esteemed guests come to campus as we dedicate our new science building. You no doubt have seen the building rising from the ground over the last two years. It is now finished and both the biologists and chemists are working there.
At 12:30 on Friday afternoon, we will cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the 80,000 square-foot building. In the afternoon there will be posters on display describing the research of both Wabash students and alumni in the sciences. And at 4:45, we will gather in the Chapel for a special convocation at which we will honor three outstanding alumni with honorary degrees. The three honored alumni are scientific researcher Charles Miller ’49, award-winning high school science teacher Stephen Randak ’67, and Harvard professor and cancer researcher Thomas Roberts ’70.
Come to campus early on Saturday and plan to spend the day. The science building will be open with dedication ceremonies for many of the named spaces inside, and there will be guided tours beginning at 10:00 a.m.
It is a spectacular building that offers the most amazing teaching and learning spaces I’ve ever seen. Even the hallways are extra wide and at the ends of many of them are comfortable chairs and tables. Students seem drawn to these spaces for studying and tutoring.
More than anything, though, I’ve noticed the amazing views from the building. Since I’m not pressed to study when I walk through the doors, the large windows provide stunning views into the arboretum, the mall, and my personal favorite, a south view from the third floor looking at the Center Hall bell tower. For someone who was always intimidated by the study of science, I can tell you that this handsome building will only enhance the excellence of the teaching that goes on in it.
At the same time on Saturday morning, the Fine Arts Center will be open. If you haven’t seen it, plan to check out the exhibit, “Captured Wilderness.” It’s really a two-part exhibit. In one gallery are 19th century photographs taken by Wabash alumnus William Henry Jackson, who took many of the very first pictures of the West and Yellowstone for the US Geological Survey in the 1870s. In the other gallery are photo assemblages by two modern artist/photographers that are both beautiful and interesting.
We’ll start serving free hotdogs and hamburgers after 11 a.m. on the College mall as part of our Community Day celebration. You’ll see the crowd, so just bring a blanket or chairs and hang out with us as we get ready for the Little Giant football team’s home opener against Earlham College at 1:00 p.m. There’s no charge for admission, but we do hope you cheer for the guys in scarlet! Do watch your step as you come past Goodrich Hall toward the stadium entrances; we’re renovating that 1938 building which next year will house the physics and mathematics departments.
The bookstore will be open all day Saturday, so give yourself plenty of time to get a Wabash hat, T-shirt, sweatshirt, or even a Wally Wabash bobblehead doll!
Sound like a fun weekend? I really do hope you’ll use this as an opportunity to acquaint or reacquaint yourself with the Wabash campus. We want you to feel welcome here, and join our students, faculty, and alumni whenever your schedule permits. This weekend is focused on a celebration of science with a little pre-game picnic and football thrown in.
But there will be other opportunities throughout the year to catch the Wabash spirit!
Here's the complete schedule of the Celebration of Science Education at Wabash:
Friday, September 19, 2003
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Picnic luncheon for faculty, students, staff, alumni East Courtyard, new science building [Rain location: Detchon Hall]
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. *Ribbon cutting ceremony East Courtyard, new science building [Rain location: Detchon Hall]
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Panel discussion The importance of student-mentor relationships in science education Honorary degree candidates, David Polley moderating Class of 1951 Lecture Hall, new science building
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Biology and chemistry student and alumni poster sessions irst, second, and third floor of new science building
4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Convocation celebrating dedication Mauri Ditzler’75, convocation speaker, Communities Honorary degrees to Charles A. Miller ’49, Stephen H. Randak ’67, and Thomas M. Roberts ’70 Wabash College Chapel
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception (by invitation only) Little Giant Room
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Dinner (by invitation only) Little Giant Room
Saturday, September 20, 2003
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Dedication ceremony for named spaces in new science building Class of 1951 Lecture Hall, new science building
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Tours of new building led by biology and chemistry majors Gather at mall-side entrance
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Panel discussion: Challenge and Opportunities in Science Education Honorary degree recipients, moderated by Mauri Ditzler ’75 Class of 1951 Lecture Hall
11:30 a.m. Science alumni picnic (by invitation only) East Courtyard, new science building [Rain location: Chadwick Court]