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St. Olaf announces major gift for Science Center renovation

By Steve Blodgett
October 11, 2009

St. Olaf's renovated old science building is expected to open in January 2011.

President David R. Anderson '74 has announced the receipt of a $5 million gift to the College from O. Jay Tomson '58, chair of the board of regents, and his wife, Patricia McCarthy Tomson '59, for the renovation of St. Olaf's old science building.

Anderson calls the gift "transformative" as it will allow the college to proceed immediately with the project. "Once completed, the building will house a gracious and welcoming environment for prospective students in a new Admissions office, reflect St. Olaf’s commitment to helping students discover their vocation and craft their future in a new and expanded Center for Experiential Learning, and bring together academic departments and programs with whom they work," Anderson explains.

“Pat and I welcome this opportunity to help ensure that students ... have the opportunity to study in first-rate learning spaces,” says O. Jay Tomson '58.

“This renovation will provide wonderful new academic space for the Education Department and foreign languages, including the World Languages Center," says Tomson, a St. Olaf Regent since 1995, and chair and CEO of First Citizens National Bank in Mason City, Iowa.

“Pat and I welcome this opportunity to help ensure that students in all the disciplines at St. Olaf have the opportunity to study in first-rate learning spaces,” he adds. Pat Tomson is a retired family therapist and former executive director of Parents United in Mason City.

Construction will commence this fall and the new $21.5 million building is expected to open in January 2011. The college plans to raise additional money to supplement the gift and employ revenue generated from the college's operations to finance the full cost of the project.

The Science Center, built in 1967, is located across the campus green from Buntrock Commons. Once completed, it will house Admissions and Financial Aid, the Registrar, the Dean of Students and the office of Residential Life, and the offices of the President and Provost. Shared spaces in the new building are designed to encourage connections between administrative functions and promote cross-disciplinary, cross-faculty, and staff interactions.

Contact Steve Blodgett at 507-786-3316 or blodgett@stolaf.edu.