(MEDIA ADVISORY: Media representatives are invited to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Wilburn and Helen Wheeler Science Center on the Levelland campus. Interviews can be arranged.)

 

SPC to host groundbreaking ceremony for new science center on Feb. 29

 

LEVELLAND – South Plains College will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wilburn and Helen Wheeler Science Center at 11 a.m. on Feb. 29 (Saturday) in the parking lot on C.M. Sanders Drive, west of the Student Center. 

The project includes the construction of 22,789 square feet of new instructional space and renovation and updating of 21,307 square feet of the current building. Central to the project’s design concept is construction of a 12,700 square foot study and collaboration center that will be the focal point for the building’s instructional activities when completed. This portion of the building will be named the Helen DeVitt Jones Student Learning Center. 

The ground-breaking event will include a welcome and introductions by Dr. Robin Satterwhite, President of South Plains College. Mike Box, chairperson of the SPC Board of Regents, also will present remarks. 

The Wheeler Science Center is being made possible through the generous support of three lead partners: the William R. and Sandra L. Wheeler Charitable Foundation, the Helen Jones Foundation, Inc., and the Montgomery Family Foundation. Representatives from these foundations will be in attendance and will be recognized by the college during the ceremony. 

“South Plains College is in a unique situation to have such incredible donors that are committed to changing the landscape of the college,” said Dr. Robin Satterwhite, President of South Plains College. “Without their support this project would be impossible. I am overwhelmed by their willingness to invest in the College with the vision of changing so many students’ lives and adding to the legacy of excellent instruction at SPC.” 

According to David Etheredge, chairperson of the biology department and professor of biology,

“The commitments have been made, and it’s a very good commitment, that we need to have lab sciences in a common place.” 

Etheredge said Phase One of the expansion and renovation will include four anatomy and physiology labs which are laboratory/lecture combos that will be renovated within the existing footprints. A new microbiology lab will match the existing lab. Chemistry will receive two renovated labs and a new lecture room will be renovated. Etheredge said the expansion also will address future growth. 

“The community should be incredibly proud of this,” he said. “It’s one of those things where you can look at what we’re doing, and it’s incredibly thought through. Every corner of the building has been thought through and how the plan fits together to better our students. 

“It’s something to be proud of – It’s something that will last a long time and it’s something that shows an investment,” he said. “And it’s something, most importantly, that will benefit the students.” 

The groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public. Guests may park in the lots off the Administration Building or Student Center. Because of construction, C.M. Sanders Drive is diverted to one-way traffic from south to north and closed to through traffic. 

For more information, contact Dane Dewbre, associate dean of marketing and recruitment, at (806) 716-2210.