Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn., has opened the Ronald H. and Verna June Meen Center for Science and Math.
The college says that the 100,000 square-foot, four-story structure has wings for biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and environmental science, as well as lab space and research areas for faculty and students.
The ground floor features an environmental science wing with a loading dock, as well as large general classroom spaces and classrooms equipped for distance learning programs. Space also is allocated to house the Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing and the Master of Science degree in nursing.
The Greeneville Sun reports that the building opened Monday, although crews were still on site installing baseboards and moulding as students and teachers streamed in and out.
Most classrooms and labs include technology such as interactive white boards. But in the math department, chalkboards also line the walls, something the professors had insisted upon.
Each floor of the building has space for students to study alone or work in groups.
“Students had asked for more special student spaces — study rooms, places to study and room for group activities,” says Suzanne Richey, Tusculum College’s communications director. “Each floor has a student lounge and locker area, where they can study and work in a relaxing environment.”
A $3.875 million gift toward funding the facility from Verna June Meen in memory of her husband, Dr. Ronald H. Meen, helped the college construct the facility.
