Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, has marked the reopening of the renovated Cooper Science Building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The university says the $60 million renovation completes a three-phase plan to replace the former Cooper Science Complex, following the construction of the Health Professions Building in 2019 and the Foundational Sciences Building in 2021.
The renovation has transformed 167,000 square feet of space and demolished 131,000 square feet to create a modern facility for research, collaboration, and teaching. The building now houses 29 state-of-the-art laboratories and 12 classrooms.
With modern labs, interactive classrooms, and new spaces for collaboration and research, the updated Cooper Science Building supports Ball State’s Department of Geography and Meteorology, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and academic programs within the Department of Environment, Geology, and Natural Resources.
Technology-rich lecture halls, a fully automated rooftop observatory, sustainability features, and flexible environments designed for hands-on discovery enhance the learning experience for students.
The building is connected to Ball State’s geothermal energy system, contributing to the university’s ongoing sustainability goals.
The Cooper Science Building opened in 1967. Designed to house multiple science departments, including biology, chemistry, physics, and physiology, it also accommodated the nursing program and, from 1970 to 1974, the Muncie Center for Medical Education.
Over the decades, Cooper Science has undergone significant transformations to meet the needs of students and faculty. A notable addition was the Charles W. Brown Planetarium in 2014.
The recent $60 million renovation continues this legacy with modern facilities that support contemporary research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
