Ribbon Cutting Marks a Huge Step in Growing the University’s Research Programs

Kennesaw, GA (October 25, 2012) – In the atrium of a new life sciences construction project, Kennesaw State University‘s College of Science and Mathematics officially opened its $21 million science lab addition on Thursday, Oct. 25, giving its students access to top-notch classrooms, equipment, and programs.

“Today you can see the excitement for what this building represents for the college and for KSU,” said Dan Papp, President of Kennesaw State University during the ribbon cutting. “This building will in fact catapult KSU, Cobb County and North Georgia to the forefront.”

The 73,000 SF, five-story facility offers six teaching labs, 17 research labs, and a light-filled atrium for gatherings of students and faculty. In the past, a lack of space in the University’s existing Science Building severely limited the number of specialized courses that could be offered. The problem was particularly acute in classes that prepare students for careers in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

Life Sciences Construction Project Opens the Doors to New Possibilities

“The construction of the new building really increases our capability of teaching students at the highest level of our disciplines. Give them a modern facility, modern equipment to teach them not just the discipline but the cutting edge of the discipline,” said Dr. Mark Anderson, Dean of College of Science and Mathematics.

The life sciences construction project enables the College to add new programs to meet the growing demand. Two new graduate programs at Kennesaw State — a Master of Science in integrative biology, which started this fall, and a Master of Science in the chemical sciences, which starts in fall 2013 — emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of scientific research. These programs would not be possible without the additional space. With them, the University is poised to prepare students for advanced careers in biology, biochemistry, nanotechnology and many other fields.

“This building came together because of collaboration and teamwork of a whole host of people,” said Papp. The Science Lab Addition was designed by the Perkins + Will architectural firm.

“We are truly honored to be a part of the construction of this amazing life sciences facility,” said William Millard Choate, President of Choate Construction. “Something we love about building on college campuses is the profound impact that we have on not only the current users, but for future generations of learning and research. This beautiful building stands tribute to the knowledge that will be taught within these walls.”

While the new building provides much-needed space, it is also energy efficient and is expected to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification requirements for sustainability. Heat recovery units are employed on both general and fume hood exhaust, reducing the need for air reheat. Occupancy sensors regulate laboratory controls, such as lighting and air change rates. Sun shades carefully permit daylight into labs while reducing heat and glare. The atrium utilizes a smoke evacuation system. Additionally, outside learning environments form research plots for the ecology department, including a greenhouse.

The building began construction in March 2011 and completed in October 2012.

###

About Choate Construction
As one of the largest general contractors in the southeast, Choate Construction Company considers its reputation to be its number one asset with its future success founded upon the strength of its customer relationships. Choate Construction excels in both base and interior construction with office locations in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Savannah. Choate strives to lead the industry in financially viable, functional solutions and continually invests in the tools to do so, promoting advances in Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, LEED® Rating system and Risk Mitigation.