Dr. Stephen Addison, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics chats with Pres. Tom Courway during the Topping-Out Ceremony.
The University of Central Arkansas enjoyed another landmark day as the Conway Corporation Center for Sciences was ‘topped-out’ in a special ceremony on the campus today.
The university broke ground in May on the Conway Corporation Center for Sciences, a 50,000-square-foot addition to the Lewis Science Center.
“This space is really important to the university. It’s the basis of so many things that we excel at,” said Brad Lacy, chair of the UCA Board of Trustees. “Today is another great day for UCA, and as we continue to grow, I think this facility will help us do that.”
The Board of Trustees voted to the name the expanded section of the Lewis Science Center building the Conway Corporation Center for Sciences in recognition of a $3 million gift from Conway Corporation that was announced in December 2014.
“To the board and everyone associated with Conway Corporation, thank you for your generous gift,” said President Courtway. “Since 1929, you have supported higher education. We, as an institution, can’t thank Conway Corp. and its legacy enough for that gift.”
Conway Corporation was established in 1929 as the community faced the threat of losing Hendrix College and Central Baptist College. The Corporation was given the lease on Conway’s electric system and a franchise. Bonds in the amount of $215,000 were issued and given to each of the three colleges in Conway, along with the public and parochial schools.
Lewis Science Center houses several departments in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics including biology and physics and astronomy. The additional 50,000 square feet in the Conway Corporation Center for Sciences allows more classroom and laboratory space, as well as significant improvements in equipment efficiency and energy utilization with LEED certification.
“Anyone who has earned a degree from UCA since 1965 has taken at least one class in the Lewis Science Center,” said Dr. Steven Runge, executive vice president and provost. “Our students do great things. Our faculty members conduct outstanding research, and we provide excellent instruction and mentoring to students. All of that was happening in a facility that needed to be more modernized. Now it will be. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve in this new facility.
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