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.
•••
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.
•••
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.
Local News
HIGHER EDUCATION NOTEBOOK: NU moves closer to new science building
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter? S'no kidding!
Towns are stockpiling salt and saving on plowing, wear and tear on machinery and overtime costs thanks to the winter of 2012 that wasn’t — so far.
Somerset Supervisor Dan Engert joked that as soon as it becomes a story, the winter will arrive and blow the budgets down.
Highway workers, who could be called at anytime on any day to clear the roads, have been cleared to indoor maintenance jobs and have been able to get outside to get a jump on other projects.
The so-far mild winter has created a mixed bag for City of Lockport streets and parks workers. When there’s no snow to plow, crews have been out trimming trees, fixing storm receivers and maintaining heavy equipment. These are all chores that usually don’t get done in winter, according to Norman Allen, director of engineering and public works. -
Town to aid in Wegmans pursuit
Maybe they should call it We Really Want Wegmans.
The group of local supporters who are hoping to attract a Wegmans supermarket to the Lockport area have received some additional support from the Lockport Town Board. At a meeting Wednesday night, town officials were presented a petition from the We Want Wegmans campaign with 8,000 signatures.
Given to the board by We Want Wegmans chairperson Charlene Bower, Supervisor Marc R. Smith said the petition was twice the size of a phone book. -
Reform agenda touted
Empire State Development Corporation executive Sam Hoyt visited Lockport on Wednesday to tout Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s state budget and government reform plans.
Changing the way the state does business will bring fiscal relief to counties, cities and towns, eventually, Hoyt suggested.
It’s too bad the reforms won’t kick in before municipalities like the City of Lockport begin confronting fiscal crises, Mayor Michael Tucker said in response. -
Tucker: 'Best days lie ahead'
The City of Lockport government is smaller than it was 18 months ago but is in a stronger financial place, Mayor Michael W. Tucker said in his annual State of the City address.
-
Trio of new classes proposed for Newfane
Newfane High School could have three new business courses in the fall, one of which would center on video game design.
-
Municipalities take wait-and-see approach on SPCA funding
The City and Town of Lockport are each withholding payments to the Niagara SPCA, while other Eastern Niagara County towns are taking a wait-and-see approach.
-
Rocky II
Friends of Deputy Craig Beiter of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department plan a benefit on Feb. 26 to raise money to buy and train a new dog for the K-9 Unit.
Beiter’s German shepherd, Deputy Rocky, was killed while on duty in December, and the sheriff’s department is close to getting a replacement. -
Basket Factory closes
The Basket Factory has gone out of business.
The owners, Julie Thompson Riegle and Dawn Thompson, made the difficult decision last Monday and put the sign on the door Tuesday. -
No snow is no problem
Unseasonably warm weather didn’t keep Roy-Hart Winterfest from being a fun day for the families who came out to Roy-Hart Elementary School on Saturday.
More than 500 people attended the third annual festivities, which Gasport Lions Club officials said was a big increase from last year. The halls of Roy-Hart Elementary were filled with vendors, programs and movement as excited children rushed from one activity to another. -
Shovel-ready park has perks
At first glance, the big, orange road sign announcing vacant property on Lockport Road as a “shovel ready certified” building site seems a bit gratuitous.
To companies looking for new places to launch a business, it’s not. The sign in their eyes is a welcome mat, for in three words a community pronounced itself ready, willing and able to make a deal quickly. - More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
