Help Meet the Match

March 29, 2022
Science Hall

We need your help to meet the match!  Canisius has embarked on a fundraising campaign to complete renovations to Science Hall. The $17.6 million project includes the development of 60,000 square feet of classroom, laboratory and office space on the second floor.

The college will finance the project with a $4.4 million challenge grant from New York State, which must be matched on a 3:1 basis, and with proceeds from the sale of its Health Science Building. 

“Completion of these renovations will provide new and modern space for two of our largest majors - biology and ABEC,” said Sara R. Morris, PhD, vice president for academic affairs. “Bringing these majors together on one floor with new facilities that enhance the learning experience will foster collaboration and support student and faculty interactions essential to student success.” The second floor will also house the master’s degree program in anthrozoology.

To date, $3.2 million in commitments have been secured, including a $1 million gift from John W. ’66, HON ’02, MD and Valerie, PhD, Rowe.  Canisius also received $500,000 gifts from The John R. Oishei Foundation and alumni John B. ’72 and Patricia Z. ’74, MS ’01 Connolly.

“We are extremely grateful for these lead gifts and for the generosity of all our alumni and friends who are supporting the Science Hall project,” says Kimberly A. Venti, vice president for institutional advancement.  “The Canisius community understands what the completion of this space means to our students and the academic excellence of our science programs.”     

Over the last decade, Canisius has invested more than $47 million in the purchase and development of Science Hall, the largest capital undertaking in the college’s history.  More than half of the building’s renovations have been completed, including the lower and first levels, as well as a portion of the third level.

Science Hall opened in 2012 with classrooms and laboratories, as well as a large commons area used by students and the neighborhood community.  The building currently houses the departments of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, as well as the George E. Schreiner '43, MD Pre-Medical Center, the Institute for Autism Research and most recently, the college’s new Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program. The third level of Science Hall is home to the Catholic Health System.

To make a gift to support the completion of Science Hall, please return the giving envelope included in this issue, or contact Kimberly Venti at (716) 888-8220 or @email.