Published: August 31, 2008 12:42 am      

HIGHER EDUCATION NOTEBOOK: NU moves closer to new science building

NIAGARA FALLS — Niagara University has received a $300,000 grant from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation to assist in funding a new science building planned for the campus.

The grant from the Buffalo-based foundation will be applied to the university’s ongoing capital campaign, “The Promise of Niagara.” Partial funding for a new $25 million science center is included in the campaign’s $80 million goal. Half of the campaign’s goal has already been raised, according to the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., president of the university.

Among the major projects the university expects to complete before 2012 are a renovation and expansion of its theater, a new dining commons and the science building.

The proposed 44,000-square-foot science center will replace DePaul Hall, a post-sputnik facility that has housed the university’s science programs since 1961. The new structure will provide more space and flexibility for today’s integrated learning environment and interdisciplinary approach to the sciences. Biology, chemistry, physics, bioinformatics and computational chemistry students and faculty will all have access to advanced instrumentation either as individuals or as members of a study team, according to Nancy McGlen, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation is a private, philanthropic organization that focuses on education, the arts and social services in Buffalo and Western New York.

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Niagara University’s Office of Continuing Education is accepting registrations for a semester of credit-free classes, including some that are offered online. Classes include geographic information system training, an introduction to Microsoft Office, forensic “DNA for Dummies,” basic emergency medical service training, dancing, sign language and NU’s MBA executive development program. There’s even a class on how to host a tea party.

In addition, credit classes are offered after 4 p.m. in a variety of subjects that go toward completing a degree. These classes may be taken either as graduate or undergraduate courses, with the permission of the department chair or appropriate college dean.

To register, contact the Office of Continuing Education at 286-8181. Additional information can be found at www.niagara.edu/cce.

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Niagara University has launched the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), a year long program that teaches middle and high schools students how to start and run their own businesses. The program will run from October to June.

Students in the program are taught by one instructor, but are exposed to guest lecturers, successful entrepreneurs and business mentors. There are also fieldtrips to various local businesses. Finally, the students participate in three major events throughout the year: the Investor Panel, Trade Show and a formal graduation ceremony.

YEA! was originally developed at the University of Rochester in 2004 with the support of a grant from the Kauffman Foundation. The foundation works with partners to advance entrepreneurship in America and improve the education of children and young people.

To register or get more information, contact Niagara’s Office of Continuing Education at 716-286-8181, or log on to: www.niagara.edu/cce/yea.htm.