Campus News

Westminster College Announces $1 Million Kresge Challenge Grant

Foundation issues challenge for Meldrum Science Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Krista DeAngelis (801) 832-2682

Feb. 18, 2009


SALT LAKE CITY–Westminster College has been awarded a $1 million challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation of Troy, Mich., to support fundraising efforts for the new Meldrum Science Center. The grant is made on a challenge basis and is conditional on Westminster raising $7.9 million by June 2010 to complete funding for the $30 million facility. The Kresge Challenge grant is added to another $1 million challenge grant from the George S. and Dolores Doré Foundation for the Meldrum Science Center.

In granting the award, Kresge Foundation President and CEO Rip Rapson commended the college for its “strong commitment to environmental sustainability.”

“We are delighted that the Kresge Foundation has issued a challenge grant for the Meldrum Science Center,” said Westminster College President Michael S. Bassis. “I am certain it will help generate additional support for this exciting new facility.”

Designed by VCBO Architecture and being built by Big-D Construction, the four-story, 60,000-square-foot Meldrum Science Center will have 14 open and flexible classroom/laboratories and five dedicated undergraduate research laboratories. The facility’s design will promote the college’s hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to learning that encourages students to learn by doing rather than through lectures and memorization. The new Science Center will allow the college to double science enrollments and will provide a 10-fold increase in space for undergraduate research. It is scheduled for completion in spring 2010 and will open for classes for the fall 2010 semester.

About The Kresge Foundation:
The Kresge Foundation is a national, private foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations by creating access and opportunity in underserved communities, improving the health of low-income people, supporting artistic expression, assisting in the revitalization of Detroit, and advancing methods for dealing with global climate change.

About Westminster College:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu.