Gonzaga University Names New Integrated Science and Engineering Facility

Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., announced this week that it has named its new Integrated Science and Engineering facility: The John and Joan Bollier Family Center for Integrated Science and Engineering is scheduled to open this fall. The Bollier family, from Newberg, Ore., provided a significant donation for the construction of the $49.7-million facility.

“The Bollier family exemplifies the values, commitment, and spirit of this community. John, Joan, Brett, Emily, and Nolan’s thoughtful and generous leadership makes a significant difference in ensuring the University delivers on this mission,” said Gonzaga President Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil. “Because of the Bolliers, Gonzaga’s commitment to Jesuit STEM education and research will have an impact on the Inland Northwest and beyond for generations to come. I am truly thankful for the support and Zag spirit with which they show up each day.”

According to a press release, in September, faculty and staff will move into their offices and common areas, study spaces and labs will open to students. Classes are scheduled to begin in the spring 2022 semester. The 82,000-square-foot space will focus on STEM education at Gonzaga and place a special emphasis on cross-disciplinary collaboration. The building will feature skybridges connecting it to the PACCAR Center for Applied Science and to the College of Arts and Sciences’ chemistry and biology departments in Hughes Hall.

According to a brochure on the university website, the new facility will increase the university’s STEM space by 44% and add 18 new labs, including a Psych Suite, a math lab, an innovation lab, a circuits lab, technology and engineering labs, student project wet & dry labs, a dynamics & vibration lab, an innovation studio, and more.

The project’s lead architect is SRG Partnership Inc. of Portland, Ore., partnering with Integrus Architecture of Spokane, Wash.; Research Facilities Design of San Diego, Calif.; MW Engineers of Spokane; and DCI Engineers of Spokane.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Porter Family Center

    Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Designing the Bridge Between Inclusivity and Independence in K–12 Schools

    Fostering independence is fundamental to learning and development for K–12 students. It offers many proven benefits, such as enhanced confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills. However, this foundational objective loses its impact if it’s not accessible and adaptable to all students. Inclusivity plays a critical role in cultivating independence and healthy autonomy for students, fostering positive student learning outcomes by uniting pedagogy with the physical learning environment.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.

  • URI Cuts Underwater Ribbon on New Ocean Robotics Laboratory

    The University of Rhode Island recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at its Narragansett Bay Campus, according to a news release. Two students used a remotely operated vehicle to cut an underwater ribbon in a 30-by-20-foot test tank.