From the judges: From collateral, to planning, to implementation, this event series stands out as a really thoughtful ode to the new building but, more important, to the ethos of the community. Clearly everyone from the donors to the faculty, staff, and students involved in the project and the building's use were celebrated and recognized in an intentional way.
Dedication of the Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center
Category
Special Events > Multi-Day
Description
Award: Gold
Institution: Lafayette College
Title of Entry: Dedication of the Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center
About this Entry: From September 26-29, 2019, the Lafayette College community gathered to celebrate the dedication of the Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center, the largest capital project in the College’s history. The opening of this innovative structure brought transformational change to the Lafayette campus. The $75 million, five-story building houses the biology and computer science departments, programs in environmental science and neuroscience, and game-changing co-curricular programs like the Hanson Center for Inclusive STEM Education, the Dyer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Office of Sustainability. Fundamentally changing how Lafayette combines the liberal arts and sciences, the Rockwell Center provides flexible spaces for interdisciplinary engagement between students and their faculty mentors, a community gathering place, and room for expansion as the College grows.
The grand opening celebrations were designed to honor the donors whose generosity brought the building to life and showcase the College’s commitment to educational distinction. Importantly, the events were also designed to unite the entire Lafayette community to celebrate not only the building--but also the inclusiveness and connectivity that it represents. The weekend’s varied schedule included: a keynote lecture from Dr. Graciela Gonzalez-Hernandez, a leading bioinformatics researcher; a community open house; programs and tours for alumni and the local community; and--the highlight--a dedication party that showcased the incredible impact that the Rockwell Center will have on all who teach and learn at the College. In all, more than 1,000 members of the Lafayette and local community came together to celebrate the building’s dedication.
A full program of events is attached.