Bowdoin New Roux Center Symbolizes Environmental Commitment

Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine dedicated a new building symbolizing an institutional focus on the environment. Named the Roux Center, it was built to the highest standards of “green” architecture and earned a LEED Platinum certification.


The Center was funded by a lead gift of $10 million from David and Barbara Roux and it was designed to bring together faculty and students from across the College’s curriculum, fostering collaboration and creativity in the teaching and study of the environment.

You can read more details of the design process and construction of the Roux Center's innovative features in "Bowdoin's new Roux Center isn't just another academic building," with reporting by Maureen Milliken in Mainebiz and published on October 10, 2018.

Preparing for the Future: Purposeful Work and a New Science Building at Bates College

Jenny Anderson published an article, "One college finally designed a liberal arts education fit for the future of work," for Quartz.  Anderson interviewed Clayton Spencer, president of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and explores how the institution is offering a liberal arts curriculum that provides opportunities for students to prepare for purposeful work and life after college.

You can visit the Bates College website for more details on the Purposeful Work initiative that helps "...students discover the joy and power that arise from aligning who they are with what they do. It builds on the work that students do in class, in the arts, on athletic teams, with clubs and organizations, and through community engagement."

The college also recently announced a campaign for a new science building with construction planned to begin next year.

Cornell College Announces Record Gift and Plans for a New Science Center

Molly Duffy reported for The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA) this week on the "Largest gift in Cornell Colege's history to fund new science center."  Cornell College is located in Mt. Vernon, IA and and enrolls just over a thousand students.  The new four story building will house chemistry and biology labs, classrooms, and offices.  Cornell alumna Jean Russell pledged $20 million toward the estimated cost of $35 million for the project.

The Cornell web site offers more information including floor plans and additional project details.

Food System Center promises big changes for Northland College and its broader community

Northland College announced a fascinating project where they are building a Food Systems Center that will take in shipments of local fruits and vegetables; freeze, dry, and can these products; and store them for off-season use. The facility will provide the capacity for the institution to locally source food for the campus....and, it will also serve as lab for students and as a resource for people from the broader community.  Northland College is located in Ashland, WI.

New MacFarlane Science Technology & Innovation Center Opens at Landmark College

Landmark College in Putney, VT recently recognized the 30th anniversary with the formal opening of the new Nicole Goodner MacFarlane Science Technology & Innovation Center.  MacFarlane is a 1998 graduate of Landmark.  VTDigger.org posted an article by Dominec Poli that originally appeared in the Battleboro Reformer on September 28, 2015. 

Landmark's website also includes photographs of the building and a short press release.  The facility includes classrooms, labs, and meeting spaces.

Landmark College enrolls just over 500 students and Putney, VT has a population of roughly 2,600 people.