Grant is first and largest corporate gift for new Visualization Lab
The University of New Mexico today announced its first and largest corporate donation for the Science and Mathematics Learning Center’s new Visualization Lab in the College of Arts and Sciences. The $250,000 grant was awarded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, one of the largest corporate philanthropies in America, for construction of the facility, which will be built using ‘green’ building standards.
Photo: UNM President David J. Schmidly discusses the UNM Science and Mathematics Learning Center with Bank of America President Rick Wadley.
On hand for today’s announcement at the UNM President’s office were: Rick Wadley, New Mexico President, Bank of America; UNM President David J. Schmidly; Dr. Brenda Claiborne, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Michael Kingan, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Math Professor Tom Hagstrom.
“The College of Arts & Sciences is extremely grateful for Bank of America’s generous contribution to our future Science and Mathematics building, which will not only help us construct this critically needed facility, but will help our math and science programs better reach out to the Albuquerque community,” said Dean Brenda Claiborne.
“Bank of America is proud to support the University of New Mexico’s efforts to build the state’s newest epicenter of scientific education,” said Rick Wadley, president of Bank of America New Mexico. “In a state with two national science and research laboratories, a state of the art science education facility can help build the best careers for our community members, and the best scientists for America.”
The Visualization Lab will provide greater space for UNM’s growing population of science students, featuring state-of-the-art computing and media equipment that will provide researchers in mathematics, science and engineering a new tool to study complex phenomena modeled by computational means. A full range of students will utilize the facility, from future scientists from K-12 schools to postdoctoral professionals.
The lab’s advanced technologies combined with integrated teaching and research capabilities of leading science researchers in the state will also help increase student retention levels.
UNM will build the Visualization Lab using environmentally sound green building components and methods that will more efficiently use energy, water and materials that reduces the building impact on human health and the environment. Bank of America supports environmental initiatives and green construction under its $20 billion environmental commitment.
The Science and Math Learning Center’s Visualization Lab will break ground in the Fall of 2008, with completion expected by 2010. UNM has received initial capital funding from a $16.5 million student bond issue, and $7 million from the New Mexico State Legislature. Additional funds are being sought from corporations and individuals who support the key mission of providing the highest level of math and science education.
The $250,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is the company’s largest single-year grant awarded in New Mexico.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at January 8, 2008 03:41 PM