Skidmore community tours Center for Integrated Sciences construction site

Faculty, staff and students toured the Center for Integrated Sciences construction site on Oct. 17, getting a sneak peek at the four floors of the building’s North Wing and a look inside the completed greenhouse.

During the self-guided tour, staff were on hand at both locations to direct attendees and answer questions.

Paul Lundberg, assistant director of construction services, directed members of the Skidmore community to one of his favorite parts of the CIS project, the new underground geothermal system that will heat and cool all 200,000 square feet of the Center for Integrated Sciences.

“This building will be the first building in Skidmore’s history to be a LEED-certified building,” he said. “You’re looking at sustainability in its true essence here. This is the geonode for the campus.”

David Domozych, professor of biology and director of the Skidmore Microscopy Imaging Center, was awed as he visited the future microscopy space in the North Wing.

“It’s the space!” he exclaimed. “Wow. Seriously, wow! We’re finally getting large enough space to accommodate all our equipment in one place.”

Jordan Alvarez ’20, a psychology major, also believes the upgraded facilities will have a huge impact on future research.

“I’ve done research in Old Dana and the lab didn’t have the proper ventilation. To see that here makes me feel very excited for Skidmore.”

Though Jinan Al-Busaidi ’20, a political science and French major, will graduate before the CIS opens, she was interested to see how it’s shaping up.

“I’m excited it will improve science and faculty research,” she said. 

Barry Pritzker, senior director in the Office of Foundation and Corporate Relations, was impressed to see the progress in person. 

“It’s going to be an amazing resource for Skidmore,” he said.