Pasteur Hall is getting a face-lift. After 43 years of service as Winona State University's main science facility, the building will be transformed into a modern space that will house faculty members from all four natural science departments: biology, chemistry, geoscience and physics.

Aside from faculty offices, the building will also contain six laboratories, four classrooms which will hold 30 students, and four large classrooms which will hold 72 people, along with space specifically designed for teaching majors. According to Nancy Jannik, dean of the College of Science and Engineering, the large classrooms will be available for use by all departments on campus.

In June 2005, Pasteur underwent an abatement process, which involved removing anything that wasn't going to be used, including lab equipment and interior walls. Jannik said WSU expects to hold classes in Pasteur in fall 2006.

"The renovation of Pasteur Hall will complete the total plan for teaching science at Winona State," said Jannik. "Students will be able to study science at its full potential."

Funding for the renovation of Pasteur Hall was approved by the Minnesota Legislature in May 2005 with the passage of the state bonding bill.

Construction on Pasteur Hall is the final phase of a two-step process in creating a new science facility at WSU.  The first phase was complete in the summer of 2004 when the Science Laboratory Center was opened. The Science Laboratory Center is made up entirely of science labs and one auditorium-style lecture hall.

Last Modified: Friday, November 04, 2005 14:36 by Rhone Richard