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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Dr. Myron Wentz Science Center is dedicated at North Central College

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Above / During the dedication of the new science center at North Central College, a new lab coat presented to Dr. Myron Wentz also fit perfectly.

It’s Homecoming Weekend at North Central College, a time promised last March when the new science center opened that the $60 million state-of-art facility would be dedicated.

Dr. Myron Wentz, a 1963 North Central graduate, was seated next to his wife, Prudence, when Vice President for Institutional Advancement Rick Spencer and other officials at North Central College lauded Wentz’ gifts to the school that showcase his love for the arts and sciences.

Originally announced several month’s ago, North Central College’s new science center will be named the Dr. Myron Wentz Science Center, recognizing the same man who gave $10 million for the College’s fine arts center and concert hall in 2003 for another “substantial and extraordinary” gift in 2017.

The biology student who went on to be recognized for his high achievements in microbiology, humanitarian health, nutrition and more returned to North Central for homecoming weekend, citing lyrics from the school song, “North Central is the school we love.”

Addressing an audience of several hundred individuals on the beautiful autumn afternoon, Wentz spoke about the value of the 125,000-square-foot science center.

“This remarkable, modern facility is a stellar response,” Wentz said, noting the future ever-changing needs of science, research and innovation.

The Dr. Myron Wentz Science Center offers students 15 new classrooms, 18 teaching labs, 16 research labs and 19 study spaces as well as courses in biology, physics, chemistry, psychology, math, computer science and kinesiology. Starting next fall, a new graduate-level program in occupational therapy will be offered, North Central College President Dr. Troy Hammond said.

Ready to dig into every discipline offered in the choice of spaces in the new science center, Kelsey LaMartina, a biochemistry major who will graduate next spring, brought a commemorative shovel from the ground-breaking event she attended three years ago. She said she’s been honored to witness every milestone along the way of the science center’s development, mindful today that the facility has been welcoming students of many disciplines, and “by design, fosters excellence.”

Five years ago Hammond became North Central’s 10th president. At the time, the scientist and entrepreneur recognized the need to upgrade the college’s facilities, especially science facilities for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) offerings. Already the college was a destination for the performing arts, he said, thanks to the fine arts center.  Since his arrival, Hammond’s aim has been to add science to that destination while continuing to offer every student a “sound liberal arts education.”

During Friday’s dedication, Hammond added, “We are now ready to become a destination for STEM education, for cutting-edge scientific work.”

Following the dedication when most attendees headed inside the new center for guided tours and refreshments, a woman outside the Dr. Myron Wentz Science Center was spotted wearing a distinctive t-shirt emblazoned with the Periodic Table of Elements that includes a facsimile of the signature of Myron Wentz.

“I’m proud to be wearing my t-shirt designed by Dr. Wentz today,” she said.

 

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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