GREENVILLE, S.C.--Furman University celebrated the $62.5 million expansion and renovation of the Charles H. Townes Center for Science Friday afternoon in a dedication ceremony attended by more than 500 people.

The expansion and renovation of the complex, which took more than two years, is named for Dr. Charles Townes, a Greenville native and Furman graduate who was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics. A reading room in the center of the complex is named for Dr. Townes' wife, Frances H. Townes.

Both spoke at the dedication, along with Furman president David Shi and university board chair Kathy McKinney.

The new Townes Center features a completely transformed John L. Plyler Hall, plus two new buildings - Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Hall and a yet-to-be-named "South Hall." The new additions add more than 75,000 square feet of space to the 138,000 square feet in Plyler Hall. In addition to housing the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Physics, the complex incorporates Riley Hall, home of the departments of Mathematics and Computer Science.

The science complex has exceptional classroom and laboratory space, with expanded multimedia capabilities and flexible seating. The laboratories have applications to more than one

department, allowing students and faculty to share commonly used instruments and work together on mutual projects.

The science center also features the new Timmons Planetarium and Simulation Classroom, where students can witness views and simulations of the night sky and the universe. Kohrt Commons, a spacious area located at the heart of the complex, encourages conversation outside the classroom and laboratory.  And the Henderson Greenhouse enables the center to be a model of "green" architecture, with its thermal solar panels, day-lighting, energy-efficient heating and cooling system, and solar aquatic wastewater system. The center is expected to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The first phase of the construction, which added the two new buildings and renovated a portion of Plyler Hall, was completed in the summer of 2007. The second phase of the renovation was completed this fall.

            Dr. Townes is a 1935 Furman graduate and current member of the Furman Board of Trustees. He was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the invention of the laser and maser. In 2005, Townes was recognized as a leading advocate for the convergence of science and religion when he was awarded the Templeton Prize, the world's best-known religion prize. He donated half of the $1.5 million prize to Furman.

            For more information, contact Furman's News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.

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10/31/2008

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