The Seward Rotary Club held their weekly meeting in a different location on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, holding the meeting at the new Dunklau Center for Science, Math and Business educational building on the Concordia University campus. A special boxed luncheon, and short Rotary Club business meeting preceded the presentation and tour of the Dunklau Center, conducted by Seward Rotary President Kurth Brashear. Brashear welcomed the members to the newest facility on the CU campus and introduced Seward Rotarian Dr. Brian Friedrich, the President of Concordia University, who echoed the welcome and spoke briefly on the facility. He introduced the program presenter- Dr. Rob Hermann, Professor of Physics and Chair of the Natural Resources Department at Concordia University, who was the CU Faculty Liaison for the facility design and planning process of the Dunklau Center.
The Seward Rotary Club held their weekly meeting in a different location on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, holding the meeting at the new Dunklau Center for Science, Math and Business educational building on the Concordia University campus. A special boxed luncheon, and short Rotary Club business meeting preceded the presentation and tour of the Dunklau Center, conducted by Seward Rotary President Kurth Brashear. Brashear welcomed the members to the newest facility on the CU campus and introduced Seward Rotarian Dr. Brian Friedrich, the President of Concordia University, who echoed the welcome and spoke briefly on the facility. He introduced the program presenter- Dr. Rob Hermann, Professor of Physics and Chair of the Natural Resources Department at Concordia University, who was the CU Faculty Liaison for the facility design and planning process of the Dunklau Center.
Dr. Hermann welcomed the Rotary Club to the new Dunklau Center and spoke on the building and uses by the faculty and students. The building started construction on January 30, 2018 and was completed on July of 2019. The additional renovation of the previous science hall started in April of 2019 and will be holding classes in January of 2020 in the completely renovated structure. The building boasts 86,000 square feet in the two building total, with 58,000 square feet in the new structure.
A budget of $26,500,000 was realized to complete the Dunklau Center and the funding is complete-all with donor investments to Concordia University. The renovated building will house the Business, Math and Computer Departments and contain three labs but mostly classrooms.
Dr. Hermann stressed that Four Themes were the basis for the facility planning and included 1. Collaborative Spaces, 2. Student Research, 3. Flexible Growth Space and 4. A “Science” feel about the building/facility. The new facility hosts five labs just for student research, as in Biology, Chemistry and Physics over 70% of undergrads must have research experience before they enter grad school.
A good example of leaving space for expanded growth, was the addition of the new Agri-Science program at CU, which required space and it was available at the Dunklau Center, because of the Flexible Growth Plan.
Dr. Hermann shared that almost 75% of the students at Concordia will be using the new facility on campus.
In the planning process, Professor Hermann shared that the building was designed on the spectroscopy / light process-with the building being designed with a focus on a spectrum of light. He pointed out, for example, the chandelier that was designed to model the atom molecule and the structure that resembles a DNA model. He also pointed out the beautiful stain glass window that accents the collaborative space, based on the recent skies of Nebraska and the solar eclipse that happened in the summer of 2017, and was created at the Concordia University Center for Liturgical Arts also in Seward.
He stressed that Concordia University incorporated the buildings philosophy of “Spectroscopy and Light” based on the Bible verses of John 8:12 and Psalms 19:1-combining a tribute to “Science and the Creator.” The spectroscopy theme flowed throughout the building’s design and decorating format.
Kurth Brashear did note that funds are still being sought to complete the campaign and investments were still being accepted. President Brian Friedrich noted that the windows echoed the light theme and pointed out the beautiful view from many of the windows in the center, noting the new “window overlooking the Concordia mall. Questions and answers following Dr. Hermann’s presentation and the gathering concluded with tours of the new facility for the Rotary Club membership directed by Dr. Rob Hermann, Dr. Brian Friedrichs and Kurth Brashear.