Seattle Central Students Contribute $400,000 for New Science and Mathematics Building
Seattle – The student body of Seattle Central Community College has given $400,000 toward the college’s Science & Technology Initiative. The gift is the single largest contribution to date and will be used to furnish and equip the college’s new Science and Mathematics Building. The building cost $24 million and will open for classes this fall.
The new building is a welcome addition to the Seattle Central campus, which has been holding science and mathematics courses in cramped classrooms and laboratories with antiquated equipment. The building will double laboratory space for math, physics, biology, and geology. Seattle Central serves about 19,000 students a year. About 42 percent of Seattle Central students transfer to a four-year institution; its math and science students are highly regarded in the academic community.
“We all love this school and want to give back to our community,” says Shae Savoy, a second-year student who is Chief Executive of the Associated Student Council, which appropriated the money. “This gift will leave a legacy of our council and those who have come before us in a way that all future students will benefit from.”
Funds were derived from a service and activity fee that students pay each quarter, about 10 percent of their tuition. Seattle Central students previously donated $65,000 towards the new building and also have endowed two scholarships.
“I am proud of our students for modeling leadership to their community,” says Seattle Central President Dr. Mildred W. Ollée. “This gift is unique in that it will truly benefit each student at Seattle Central.”
Juan Martinez, a former council member who is now sits on the Seattle Central Community College Foundation Board of Directors, appealed to the students to contribute to the building. “It was not difficult to convince the students,” he said. “The student leadership program at Seattle Central focuses on preparing students to give back to their community. They all understood the importance of this project.”
Construction began on the Science and Mathematics Building in 2005. The building totals 68,000 square feet including a parking garage and four floors of instructional space. The building also will include a Plant Sciences Laboratory, which will include an ethno-botanical/culinary herb garden, a Northwest plant collection, a children’s garden and a 150-square foot working classroom garden.
The $24.1 million Science & Technology Initiative is funded largely through the State of Washington. Just over $1.25 million remains to be raised in private support to equip the buildings for student success and to unlock a $250,000 State Matching Grant this summer.