Construction is on schedule for RMC’s new science building, which will offer students unprecedented opportunities for study, research and collaboration.

Watch construction of the building, which is streamed live via a time-lapse camera.

The three-story facility will adjoin the northwest side of Copley Science Center and will house the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Studies/Geology. A 40-foot-long connector will provide access between Copley Science Center and the new science facility. In addition, a new Keeble Observatory will be constructed and connect to the second floor of the northeast side of Copley Science Center.

The science building will include state-of-the-art research laboratories; innovative teaching laboratories; faculty offices; spacious conference rooms for mentoring science students, including dedicated space to meet with and advise students interested in healthcare careers; and energy- and water-saving technologies along with recycled and renewable materials to comply with LEED “green building” standards. The building will also have solar panels installed for energy conservation.

RMC celebrated a groundbreaking kick-off on May 2, 2016, and on August 2, 2016, the Randolph-Macon community gathered for a topping-out ceremony.

Latest Updates
The roof has been installed on the new science building, and the exterior framing and sheathing has been completed. In addition, the wall framing for the second and third floors is nearly complete.

On December 17-18, 2016, partition walls on the west side in Copley will be removed, and from December 17, 2016-January 2, 2017—while students are enjoying a holiday break—workers will continue with construction, including welding.

By January 2017 the new building will have permanent power, and the expected move-in for furniture and equipment is June 2017. The building is on schedule to open to students, faculty and staff by fall 2017.

Extraordinary Support
In conjunction with the college’s Building Extraordinary campaign, the college set forth an overall goal of $22.2 million to build a new science building and a new observatory, and to renovate Copley Science Center and Smithey Hall. The renovations took place several years ago. Reaching the target of $17.5 million specifically for the new science building was particularly exciting and gratifying, says President Robert R. Lindgren.

Several donors have been extraordinarily generous in making the new science building a reality.

Macon F. Brock Jr. ’64 serves as chair of the Building Extraordinary campaign. He and his wife Joan Brock gave millions to support the priorities of the campaign, which included the new Brock Commons student center. Their gifts also supported the new science building.

Birdsong Hall, a residential facility for upperclassmen, is named for Thomas Birdsong ’49 and The Birdsong Corporation, and construction was made possible through their $2.1 million gift. The family and corporation have also supported the Birdsong Peaks of Excellence Center, the Birdsong Townhouses, the Birdsong Café, and the new science building.

Chemistry Professor Serge Schreiner and his wife Linda made a gift of $500,000 to support the construction of the new science building.

Provost William T. Franz and his wife Patty were among the first donors to the new building and renovations. Their gift of $35,000 is representative of the commitment that Franz and other faculty members feel for Randolph-Macon and its mission.