A Celebration of Science
The Dedication of the Robert N. Noyce '49 Science Center

A cloudless blue sky greeted Grinnellians who gathered to celebrate the dedication of Phase II of the Robert N. Noyce '49 Center, held Oct. 3-4 on the Grinnell College campus. The two-day event brought together the Grinnell community -- students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends -- to celebrate who we are, and what we do.

"There's a reason we're called Pioneers," said actor Walter Koenig '58, who hosted an All-Campus Science Celebration Friday evening, Oct. 3 Koenig told the audience, "There are no limits on the impact Grinnell has -- on us, and on the world."

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Katie Lee '09, a biology major from Westtown, Pa., offered the student perspective at the dedication ceremony. Lee is a Grinnell Science Project student assistant, assisting students underrepresented in the sciences, and a Science Learning Center mentor, supporting those in lower level biology and chemistry courses. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, she co-founded Students on Health-Oriented Tracks and has been involved in Grinnell Women in Science for two years.

 

 

Actor Walter Koenig '58 of Star Trek fame narrated a spectacular theatrical program on Friday evening that celebrated and personified the Grinnell science tradition. Current and former student achievements were featured throughout the 70-minute multimedia production. 

 

During open house science stations, Joan Baker '51 learned about computer-aided fabric design from Alexi Brooks '10, computer science and Russian major from Winchester, Mass. 

 

What's in a building project? Professor of Computer Science Henry Walker told donors and volunteers at Friday evening's dinner that his log of the Noyce Science Center renovation projects amounted to 7,126 e-mails and 45 lbs. of paperwork! 

 

Suzanna Stephens '10, a history major from Mercer Island, Wash., demonstrates that the openness and accessibility of the Kistle Science Library invites scientists and non-scientists alike. 

 

A glorious October morning greeted the dedication ceremony crowd that gathered on Eighth Ave. between the Robert N. Noyce '49 Science Center and the Joe Rosenfield '25 Center--two impressive campus centers named for two remarkable alumni. 

 

Carolyn Swartz Bucksbaum '51 spoke to the "dimensions of Noyce not known--his humility, pithy intellect and eloquence, and his relentless inclination to be a tinkerer." Bucksbaum and Noyce were Grinnell contemporaries and later served together on the Grinnell Board of Trustees. 

 

President Russell K. Osgood closed the dedication ceremony by thanking the donors and volunteers, unveiling the building plaque, and officially dedicating the science center "designed to support the process of inquiry and diligence." 

 

Professor of Psychology Janet Gibson directs guest Craig Larsen through the lower level of the science center, where psychology workstations included personality and polygraph tests, memory studies, and eye tracking demonstrations. 

 

John Groves '68 enjoys conversation with Professor of Physics Bob Cadmus, who also directs the Grant O. Gale Observatory on the north perimeter of the campus. Robert Noyce was a protégé of Grant Gale for whom the observatory is named. 

 

Ria Laureijs '10, a biochemistry major, can also sing the blues. She performed at the All-Campus Science Celebration Oct. 3. 

 

Associate Professor of Biology Vince Eckhart points out the century plant, which has grown so tall its stem has bent and twisted where it hit the greenhouse ceiling. The new greenhouse is wonderful facility for Grinnell's scientists. 

 

Professor of Chemistry Jim Swartz, former dean of the College, spoke at a panel discussion held Friday afternoon, Oct. 3. He observed that the new science facility forces us to do things in a high quality way. Also on the panel are (l to r): Tom Cech '70, president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute; James Baird, principal architect, Holabird and Root; Kathy Jacobson, associate professor of biology; and Elaine Marzluff, associate professor of chemistry. 

 

Biochemistry major Lyda Robb '10 shows (l to r) David, Tommy, and Roland how to get DNA from a banana. This was one of more than 30 stations in the Noyce Science Center where visitors could learn more about the sciences at Grinnell. 

 

Friday night's dinner was truly a gala occasion. Director of Dining Services Dick Williams estimates his staff served about 340 diners. 

 

Associate Dean Leslie Gregg-Jolly, professor of biology, noted that the structure and function of the Robert N. Noyce '49 Science Center are perfectly matched. She spoke at the dedication ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 4. 

 

Visiting Professor of Chemistry James G. Lindberg shows his grandchildren Nate and Jenna the fun of making slime from glue, borax, and water. 

 

Dr. John Canady '80 and Ethan Craig (left and center) share a special bond -- Dr. Canady repaired Ethan's cleft lip and palate through a number of delicate surgeries. They're joined onstage at the All-Campus Science Celebration by actor Walter Koenig '58, emcee for the evening's fabulous All-Campus Science Celebration. 

 

Professor of Chemistry Jim Swartz, speaking at the dedication ceremony, noted, "Good things take a long time to develop." 

 

Yuyang Fan '11 gives Mary and Russ Schuchmann a sample of the scientific work students do at Grinnell College. 

 

Nobel Prize-winner Tom Cech '70, president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, was greeted with enthusiastic applause at the All-Campus Science Celebration.