SARASOTA (October 3, 2012) – New science labs at Mote Marine Laboratory for the use of USFSM undergraduate students are now a step closer to reality thanks to a generous grant from the Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation.
The $250,000 grant helps build new labs, student and faculty research space and study areas in an existing building on the Mote Marine Laboratory campus. Mote is donating the raw space which will be improved and used for brand new science courses when USFSM begins admitting underclassmen in the fall of 2013. “As we prepare to expand our science curriculum to meet local students’ needs, we must first build classrooms and labs and hire new faculty in biology and marine science/aquaculture,” said Dennis Stover, regional vice chancellor for advancement at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.
The total cost of the science wing renovation, including equipment, scholarships and a research program endowment at Mote Marine, is budgeted at $4 million. The capital portion is $1.5 million and renovation of the existing building will create 4,000 square-feet of classes, labs and support space. Dr. Arthur Guilford, regional chancellor of USFSM said, “With the addition of labs through this great partnership with Mote, USFSM is poised to deliver to our region the types of students we need for the future: fully prepared to pursue STEM careers in medicine, healthcare, environmental science and more. We hope that a strong science curriculum will give local students viable options to stay here and attend their hometown university.”
With the help of foundation, corporate and individual contributions, the timetable calls for construction of the new lab space to begin by December 2012, with an August 2013 completion date…just in time for the first underclassmen to arrive at USFSM.
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Photo Caption: A $250,000 grant from the Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation will help the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee build science classrooms and teaching labs on the Mote Marine Laboratory Campus, in a partnership that will allow USFSM students and faculty to work closely with Mote research staff.
About USFSM
USF Sarasota-Manatee is a comprehensive university for those interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. USFSM offers the prestige of a nationally ranked research university with the convenience of a hometown university, including classes in south Sarasota County and Manatee County.