’Berg Breaks Ground on
New Science Facilities;
Seegers Union Expansion

On April 22, 2005, ground was broken on a new, state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary science facility, and major renovations will take place in Shankweiler and Trumbowers Halls, as well as in Seegers Union.

The Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees approved this $24 million plan, one of the key initiatives of the College’s Strategic Plan. Ballinger, a Philadelphia architectural and engineering firm, is implementing these changes.
A 40,000 square-foot science center will be created by Ballinger, and the firm will add 11,000 square feet of new space and renovate current space in Seegers Union. This expansion will include conference and meeting rooms, space for academic support services, and renovated space for student organizations.

Planning for science facility improvements began during the summer of 2003 with faculty involvement coordinated by Professors Bruce Anderson and Richard Niesenbaum and Provost Marjorie Hass. In addition to the construction of the structure, current laboratory space, classrooms and offices will be renovated in Shankweiler Biology Building and Trumbower Hall, which houses chemistry, physics and mathematics.

“Our science program has always been the flagship of Muhlenberg College,” says President Peyton R. Helm. “The new and expanded facility should bring synergy and a more interdisciplinary approach to the sciences. We have an excellent faculty and this will give them a place to continue to do top-notch research, and allow our students to get additional research experiences.”

Muhlenberg continues to be among the national leaders in terms of sending students to medical, dental, veterinary and other health professional schools.

According to Helm, “Ballinger stood out from other firms because of its experience and expertise in designing outstanding, instructional science facilities.”

Ballinger was founded in 1878 and has a staff of more than 200 professionals.

Ballinger works with colleges and universities nationally on the planning and design of science teaching and research facilities. The firm has won recent awards for science buildings at Brown University, Cornell University and Rowan University.

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