Keck Center for Science and Engineering Opens at Chapman University

The Keck Center for Science and Engineering on the campus of Chapman University in Orange, CA, opened its doors to students and faculty in August, just in time for the new academic year. Supported by a $20 million grant from W.M. Keck Foundation, this game-changing facility spans nearly an entire city block and offers 140,000 square feet of space for learning, research, and collaboration. Home to Schmid College of Science and Technology, the building will also house Dale E. ’58 and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering, opening in fall 2020.

KECK

The Keck Center is comprised of three floors and divided into two sections: the Hall of Science and the Hall of Technology and Engineering, bridged by a grand arch that serves as the focal point of the building. In total, the center includes 18 teaching labs, 22 research labs, 47 faculty and graduate student offices, three multipurpose classrooms, and six collaboration areas for students and faculty. The facility also features an 833-seat outdoor amphitheater/stadium and a 347-space, two-story subterranean parking garage.

To enhance interdisciplinary work, the Keck Center features high-tech equipment and design elements such as writable glass walls within the science, technology, and engineering labs.

Featured

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.