November 10, 2006

Riverside, Calif. – La Sierra University officially celebrated the opening of the Thaine B. Price Science Complex with a ribbon cutting/dedication ceremony on Thursday, November 9, 2006.

“Research should be a part of what students are trained early to do,” says lead donor Thaine B. Price, MD. “When I was a student here myself in 1949 I longed for building like this. It gives students a tremendous future.”

The 48,000 square foot Price Science Complex houses Mathematics and Computer Science and Biology and officially opened for classes September 2006.

“I want to formally thank over 700 of La Sierra’s supporters for their generous commitment to an institution we all love,” says Lawrence T. Geraty, president of La Sierra University. “Like clothing sizes, gifts have been petite, small, medium, large and extra large. Each one has made a difference. I hope each will accept our heartfelt thanks for choosing to invest in La Sierra Unviersity.”

“This first building will set the standard for the next,” says Henry Coil, J.D., of Tilden Coil Constructors, Inc. who built the complex, and a La Sierra University Board Member.

“It is a transformation symbolic of the future of science,” says Ken Calvert, member of congress, 44th district of California. “Science is important to this county. It is a big help to the region, state and country.”

“It is a wonderful dream come true and the first of many steps for the university,” says Thomas Mostert, M.Div., La Sierra University Board Chair and president of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “The Inland Empire could not find a stronger science building.”

“I am ready to burst my buttons,” says Vernon Howe, Ph.D., chair and professor, mathematics and computer science.  “After 33 years of working here it is better than I ever dreamed.”

“I have expected this for so long that I don’t really believe it,” says Gary Bradley, Ph.D., professor of biology at La Sierra University since 1972.  “It is gradually becoming a reality. It will make the general quality of undergraduate research easier. A lot can happen.”

To view an album of over 50 photos from the event: click here.