Crowd Gathers to Put Spade to $17 Million Science Center

More than 300 people – including faculty, students, trustees, staff, townsfolk and 160 benefactors – gathered Nov. 14 to give thanks and turn a shovel of earth to celebrate the groundbreaking on a $17 million Science Center at Manchester College. The wind was brisk but the smiles were warm and wide.

“This accomplishment is made possible by great offering of finances and spirit,” College President Parker G. Marden told the crowd. “So many have given generously in some combination of their time, talent and treasure. Some have done so sacrificially.”

The philanthropists include Lilly Endowment Inc. Manchester College will not go into debt or raise tuition to pay for construction of the 85,600-square-foot Science Center – the largest building in the history of the College. The College will pay cash, Marden said. General contractor R.L. Turner Corp. of Indianapolis already is at work on campus, aiming toward a summer 2005 completion.

View photos of the groundbreaking ceremony and construction progress in our Photo Album or watch construction LIVE on our video feed from Spartancam II.