Campus News

Westminster College Announces Gift For Its New Science Center

Meldrum Foundation Commits $5.5 Million

SALT LAKE CITY - Westminster College announced today that the Meldrum Foundation, a Utah-based family foundation, has committed $5.5 million toward construction of the college’s new science center. Thanks to the Meldrums and other generous donors, the college will break ground on the Meldrum Science Center in May. The $25 million facility, scheduled to open in spring 2010, will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-certified and house 14 open and flexible classroom/laboratories and five dedicated undergraduate research laboratories.

“We are delighted that the Meldrum Foundation has demonstrated such a strong commitment to the college,” said Westminster College President Michael S. Bassis. “This generous gift underscores the foundation’s belief in our students and the hands-on way we educate them in the sciences. The new science center will carry the Meldrum name and be the capstone of the college’s 10-year campus master plan.”

The Meldrum family has a long association with Westminster. Peter Meldrum, president and CEO of Salt Lake City-based Myriad Genetics, a leading molecular diagnostic and pharmaceutical company, is a Westminster trustee and was chair of the Science Building Task Force. He and his wife, Cathie, established the Nibs Meldrum Aviation Scholarship and the George Roper Aviation Scholarship in honor of their fathers, B.N. (Nibs) Meldrum, a World War II pilot, and George Roper, an early barnstormer. Peter’s mother, Grace Durkee Meldrum, was on the college’s Woman’s Board for 30 years, and Cathie has been on the same board since 1980.

“Our gift to Westminster reflects the deep regard we have for the college,” said Peter Meldrum. “We are most impressed by the top-notch science education the college provides, and the innovative way in which students learn. Helping provide the faculty and students with a state-of-the-art facility is a wonderful way for the foundation and our family to encourage excellence in science education.”

Designed by VCBO Architects and to be built by Big D Construction, the 60,000 sq. ft., four-story Meldrum Science Center will be located between Converse and Foster Halls. As a LEED-certified facility, it is designed, and will be constructed, with sustainability in mind—storm water will be collected and used to flush toilets, daylight will be used to the greatest extent possible, and local building materials will be used, as practical, among many other energy and resource saving factors. Ultimately, the design, construction, and building itself will serve as an important teaching tool for students as well as the community.
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information visit www.westminstercollege.edu.