Marvin Druger remembers what Syracuse University’s science programs were like almost half a century ago. Now in his last year at SU, the way he’ll remember it has changed.

Druger, a professor of biology for the last 45 years, stood in the Jack and Laura Milton Atrium Friday for the dedication of the new Life Sciences Complex, a building two years and $107 million in the making.

A crowd of about 600 people gathered to watch Chancellor Nancy Cantor and New York Assemblyman William Magnarelli – clad in white lab coats – cut the 10-foot long DNA banner. It marked the official opening of the 230,000-square-foot building, home to the biology, chemistry and biochemistry departments.

‘When I first came to Syracuse University 45 years ago, we had the Zoology Department in Lyman and the Bacteriology and Botany Department in the Biological Research Laboratory in two separate groups, yet they were both biology,’ Druger said. ‘I said that the only way to make a great biology department is to put them together. You can’t have two separate buildings, and all day long people were walking back and forth. So this new building is a wonderful thing.’

While Cantor and Magnarelli made their incisions, the SU Brass Ensemble and members of the SU Singers performed in celebration of the largest and most expensive building ever constructed on campus.

Before any speeches or dedications were made, the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Robert Ward’s ‘In Praise of Science’ was performed by the brass ensemble and sung by soprano Laura Enslin, an SU voice teacher. The college commissioned Ward to write a special piece for the event.

Cathryn Newton, dean emeritus of the College of Arts and Sciences, said in her speech that it took two chancellors, three College of Arts and Sciences deans, two faculty project managers, four department chairs and three provosts to fund, design and build the new space.

The ceremony took place in the $6 million atrium, which unites the old Center for Science and Technology to the new Life Sciences Complex.

Cantor said the atrium was designed to encourage communication and a place where people are going to meet each other in the name of science.

‘It will allow people to talk about scientific issues and is designed to have people bump into each other,’ Cantor said. ‘Interdisciplinary scholarly leaders and teaching will happen here.’

Cantor also said that the Life Sciences Complex will take the stereotypes out of science.

Out with the poorly lit rooms at the Biological Research Lab and the cramped hallways in Lyman Hall. Enter the bright hallways and classrooms, couches and collaborative team rooms, all which are part of the complete reformation of science at SU.

Assemblyman Magnarelli said current SU students should be thankful for such an open place for discussion. Magnarelli, who attended SU from 1966 to 1970, said the campus has come a long way since his days.

‘Back then, the only common meeting place was in the HBC lobby, the Slocum cafeteria and the Quad,’ he said. ‘We’ve come a long way with many advancements in this building.’

New York State Sen. Dave Valesky of the 49th District attended the event. He represented the New York state legislature, which secured a $5 million grant for the complex’s RESTORE Center for Environmental Biotechnology.

‘As we prepare to go back to Albany to cut back additional operating spending in the state’s budget, we have to realize that these kinds of targeted capital investments are so important in terms of economic development and job creation, not only to the city of Syracuse but to all of central and upstate New York,’ Valesky said.

J. Craig Venter, the first scientist to map his own genome, delivered the keynote speech before the 3:30 p.m. dedication ceremony. Venter spoke to a standing-room only audience in the complex’s new auditorium.

Venter, who was named one of the 100 most influential people in 2008 by Time magazine, is the founder of a not-for-profit research institute dedicated to advancing the science of genomics.

He spoke about biology, the genetic code, human genomes, biochemistry and chemistry. Noel Pauli, senior biology major, said Venter’s experience in all the multidisciplinary studies to be housed in the new building made him an appropriate choice for the dedication.

‘It is incredibly fitting,’ Pauli said. ‘It shows what’s possible when using science in a proper and intelligent way, which is the purpose of this new building. Without lectures from famous scientists like Venter and a new facility like this, it would not be possible to rival other major universities.’

Druger, the professor of biology, said the building makes it easier for different departments within the science program to collaborate.

Though Druger is retiring from SU next year and will only have one year in his new office in the complex, he said the new building is a one-stop shop for science and teaching, which was never possible in the old facilities.

‘Outside my office, there’s a beautiful conference room with a magnificent table,’ Druger said. ‘Everything’s in there. Outside my office, there’s a lounge with a beautiful view. And down the hall is a men’s room and a ladies’ room. What more could you ask for?’

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Published on November 9, 2008 at 12:00 pm