Reinhardt University Opens New Science Center

Nearly 100 students, trustees, alumni, community members, faculty and staff descended onto Reinhardt University's Dobbs Science Hall in Waleska to dedicate its new Science Center.

The ceremony, which was held last week, included remarks from Reinhardt President Dr. J. Thomas Isherwood; Dr. William DeAngelis, dean of the School of Mathematics; and Student Government Association President Maria Flores.  

“This building is a dream come true, one that has been envisioned and planned for a long time,” DeAngelis said in a news release, adding the new science center and renovations at Dobbs Hall gives Reinhardt more space needed for teaching, equipment and research.

"An important learning outcome for our school is to get students involved in research," he added, noting several biology students have already had their articles published in peer reviewed journals or have given presentations at meetings in their fields of study. "The space here dedicated to student research is very important to us."

The new 12,000 square-foot center has three labs, two advanced research labs, four classrooms and four offices. Dobbs Hall, the oldest academic building at Reinhardt, was built in 1926 using native fieldstone quarried on the campus and was renovated in 1964 and 1997.

Flores also spoke during the dedication, adding students come to Reinhardt wanting to learn more, join more clubs and represent Reinhardt at conferences. 

"We want to go above and beyond every single year," she said, adding the new building is an example of Reinhardt's efforts to support its students. "It’s amazing that in a little town like Waleska (that) we have this incredible building. And it’s not just this building. It's the people, the technology, everything at Reinhardt that makes such an impact every single day."

The college received donations to fund the $4.2 million project. The university received $2 million from the Angel and George Lawson Estate. 

Northside Hospital, an anonymous Atlanta-based foundation, and Reinhardt trustees and friends Steven and Nancy Gordy Simms, William and Martha Hasty, Deborah Marlowe and Bea and Austin Flint all donated more than $2 million.

"I’ve had some people say to me, 'Now Reinhardt is really complete. Now you can do what you need to do in science',"  Isherwood added. "And that’s true. But we’re never complete. Just keep watching because something’s coming."

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