Pennsylvania Western University leaders celebrated the start of construction on a new science center building on the California campus with a ceremonial groundbreaking Jan. 13, 2025.

The innovative new 63,500-square-foot facility is part of a $39 million project, funded by the Department of General Services Capital Spending Plan Budget. The building, which is scheduled to open in early 2027, will be home for students studying biology, Earth and environmental sciences, chemistry and physics.

Once the new building is complete, Frich Hall (built in 1972) and New Science Hall (built in 1959) will be abated and demolished, creating open lawn areas for student use and recreation.

“The opportunities this facility will bring to our students and faculty are boundless,” said Dr. Jonathan Anderson, president of PennWest University.  “It will serve as a hub for research, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This is more than a building; it is a promise to our community and western Pennsylvania that we are invested in shaping the future of science and technology.”

The science building will house 17 flexible science labs and 19 support spaces, designed to adapt to the changing needs and curriculum of the university. The building will include specialized labs for physics, general science, biology and chemistry.

“This new California science building will be the beating heart of PennWest California’s scientific endeavors,” said Declan Johnson, a chemistry major and mathematics minor. “It is the medium by which burgeoning intellects will begin their journeys as scientists, doctors, and most importantly, as educated individuals who have been taught the necessity of critical reasoning and the values of higher education.”  

The building's design will reflect the historic architecture of the campus. Sustainability is a key feature, with the building anticipated to use nearly 20% less energy than comparable facilities.

By the Numbers:

63,500 square feet.: Total size of the new science building.

$39 million: Total project investment.

2025-2027: Construction timeline.

17: Number of flexible science labs.

20%: Anticipated energy savings compared to similar facilities.

24 students: Capacity of each specialized lab.

More information, including architectural designs, is available here.

The ceremony was attended by university administrators, faculty, staff, students and community leaders.