USD Magazine, Winter 2000

Initial plans for the 150,000 square-foot building include not only classroom and lab facilities, but aquariums, an astronomy deck, aviary and greenhouse.

Old labs, which have no storage and poor ventilation, will be replaced by high-tech work stations with the latest safety features.

to cake a look at what we're crying to do here." Garrett, whose employer, San Diego-based Dura, has hired several USD graduates, says improved facilities will means students will be in even more demand. "When you consider some of the people who have come out of those programs, it's mind boggling," Garrett says. "Doctors, researchers, technicians. It shows you the quality of the faculty." +

and can invite students to the front of the room for a closer look. Then students can return to nearby work stations and conduct their own experiments under close supervision. They lacer will be able to discuss their work in forum areas on each floor. "We've seen the plans for the new building and I for one am jealous," says Bareng, a junior who will graduate before work begins on the new building. "That's how it should

be - a class with lots of space to work with experiments and talk about them. " Adds Lowery, "It will allow us to teach classes the way other universities do." But faculty know they're only halfway there. A fund-raising drive is getting under way and a lead gift is needed before university officials can finalize a construction timetable. "We have so many graduates working with very big companies," Sister Shaffer says. We're trying to get some of those larger companies

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