Canisius Receives $500K From Cummings Foundation
Gift to be used toward the creation of an interdisciplinary science
Canisius President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., announced today that the college has received a $500,000 gift from The James H. Cummings Foundation to be used toward the creation of an interdisciplinary science center at the college.
“The Cummings Foundation has been a great supporter of the college’s science program for many years,” said Father Cooke. “Their generous gift of $500,000 marks the first commitment from a local foundation to support our science center project.”
William L. Joyce, executive director of The James H. Cummings Foundation, commended the project and said, “The interdisciplinary science center is a great investment in the education of future doctors, scientists and educators in our region. It is also a great investment in the central corridor of Buffalo. The directors of the Cummings Foundation are proud and enthusiastic to support it.”
Payable over three years, funds will support the purchase, renovation and development of technology-enhanced classrooms and laboratories, including five Interdisciplinary Research Training Groups (IRTG). These specially designed spaces will promote faculty-student research and new curricular initiatives in the areas of bioinformatics, cellular/molecular biology, analytical chemistry, neuroscience and quantitative science.
The interdisciplinary science center at Canisius College will be developed in what is presently the HealthNow building and parking pavilion at 1901 Main Street in the heart of the campus. The building is best known as the site of the former Sears Roebuck store, which operated there from 1920 – 1980. It consists of a four-story building with 237,000 total square feet (170,000 net usable square feet) set on three and a half acres. It includes a three-level parking ramp with a total of 1,350 spaces. The center will bring together in one location the college’s biology, chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics, environmental science, physics, psychology, computer science and mathematics programs. The center will include classrooms, laboratories, office and other support space to accommodate faculty with research programs.
The anticipated cost of the project is $47 million. In addition to gifts from alumni and friends of the college, Canisius is also seeking support from federal and state sources, and national and regional foundations and corporations. The college is scheduled to acquire the building in late 2007 and plans to begin construction of the science center as soon as possible after acquisition of the site.
Canisius has been ranked by several national foundations as one of the top colleges and universities in the nation for undergraduate science because of our outstanding results with our undergraduate science programs. Canisius students go on to the best graduate programs and we have an impressive record of faculty-student research and publication.
The James H. Cummings Foundation was founded in 1962 with funds from the estate of James H. Cummings, a prominent manufacturer of pharmaceuticals with operations in Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Ontario. The foundation was created with three main purposes: to further medical science, research, and education; to provide services for underprivileged boys and girls; and to assist aged and infirm persons.
For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations at (716) 888-2790.
“The Cummings Foundation has been a great supporter of the college’s science program for many years,” said Father Cooke. “Their generous gift of $500,000 marks the first commitment from a local foundation to support our science center project.”
William L. Joyce, executive director of The James H. Cummings Foundation, commended the project and said, “The interdisciplinary science center is a great investment in the education of future doctors, scientists and educators in our region. It is also a great investment in the central corridor of Buffalo. The directors of the Cummings Foundation are proud and enthusiastic to support it.”
Payable over three years, funds will support the purchase, renovation and development of technology-enhanced classrooms and laboratories, including five Interdisciplinary Research Training Groups (IRTG). These specially designed spaces will promote faculty-student research and new curricular initiatives in the areas of bioinformatics, cellular/molecular biology, analytical chemistry, neuroscience and quantitative science.
The interdisciplinary science center at Canisius College will be developed in what is presently the HealthNow building and parking pavilion at 1901 Main Street in the heart of the campus. The building is best known as the site of the former Sears Roebuck store, which operated there from 1920 – 1980. It consists of a four-story building with 237,000 total square feet (170,000 net usable square feet) set on three and a half acres. It includes a three-level parking ramp with a total of 1,350 spaces. The center will bring together in one location the college’s biology, chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics, environmental science, physics, psychology, computer science and mathematics programs. The center will include classrooms, laboratories, office and other support space to accommodate faculty with research programs.
The anticipated cost of the project is $47 million. In addition to gifts from alumni and friends of the college, Canisius is also seeking support from federal and state sources, and national and regional foundations and corporations. The college is scheduled to acquire the building in late 2007 and plans to begin construction of the science center as soon as possible after acquisition of the site.
Canisius has been ranked by several national foundations as one of the top colleges and universities in the nation for undergraduate science because of our outstanding results with our undergraduate science programs. Canisius students go on to the best graduate programs and we have an impressive record of faculty-student research and publication.
The James H. Cummings Foundation was founded in 1962 with funds from the estate of James H. Cummings, a prominent manufacturer of pharmaceuticals with operations in Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Ontario. The foundation was created with three main purposes: to further medical science, research, and education; to provide services for underprivileged boys and girls; and to assist aged and infirm persons.
For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations at (716) 888-2790.
Date released: 6/28/2007
