Stark Dean Walter Wagor and faculty signed the final beam for the new sciences building at the Kent Stark campus on June 25 before it was placed.

Dr. Walter Wagor, Dean of Kent State University at Stark, said the new building is not just for new science majors but will be open to everyone at the Stark regional campus. 

“Everybody has to take science classes,” Wagor said. “Students of all majors have to take classes in this new building so it will benefit everybody.”

Thomas M. Norton-Smith, Ph.D., Professor at Kent State Stark, said the sciences building will also hold the nursing classes.

“That’s going to open up space in the fine arts building for renovations there,” Norton-Smith said.  “Our artists are very pleased about that.”

The building is designed to provide additional benefits.

“Somebody won’t walk in during the middle of class,” said assistant professor of biological science Robert Hamilton IV.  “You can work one-on-one with students or give them a quiet corner to do whatever they need, it will be a quantum leap in research and teaching.”

Wagor said the new building would give Stark 29 new faculty offices. 

Paul B. Ebey, project superintendent for Jeffery Carr Construction, said the new building will be a three-story structure that will house the science and nursing departments. It is scheduled to be completed in late April.

“It’s been a rough winter and a rough spring so we’re running a little bit behind schedule,” Ebey said.

Wagor said that, based on the last report he received, the project was only 17 days behind.

“What I anticipate is from this point forward, rather than losing time, the contractor can pick up a little bit of time here and there,” Wagor said.  “I think things are really looking good for the timely completion.” 

Wagor said the new building will also be LEED gold certified.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification program that rates buildings on one of four different levels in relation to its environmental implication. 

Hamilton said the building being LEED certified means a lot to him because he is an aquatic ecologist.

“This building is great from my point of view,” Hamilton said.  “It will have plants on the roof, we will be able to put our telescopes up there and we will be able to observe our wetland, pond, birds and animals from the roof.”

After the signing ceremony, the beam had 87 signatures from staff, administrators and faculty members at Stark campus.

Contact Josh Yager at [email protected].