Campus News

Westminster College Announces Gift from Sorenson Legacy Foundation

New science education floor named after renowned biotechnology pioneer James LeVoy Sorenson and wife Beverley, arts education advocate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Krista DeAngelis (801) 832-2682

Feb. 8, 2010


SALT LAKE CITY–Westminster College announced today the Sorenson Legacy Foundation has donated $833,000 to help construct a science education floor in the new four-story Meldrum Science Center. The James LeVoy and Beverley Sorenson Research Floor will include integrated laboratory/classrooms dedicated to genetics, microbiology, anatomy/physiology and undergraduate research, as well as faculty offices, a conference room and student lounge. The 60,000 sq. ft. center is scheduled for completion in spring 2010.

“The education and discovery undertaken on the Sorenson Research Floor will complement our family’s desire to advance science and technology through innovation, which was a lifelong passion for my father, James LeVoy Sorenson,” said Joan Fenton, Sorenson Legacy Foundation trustee.

James LeVoy Sorenson was a Salt Lake medical device pioneer and entrepreneur who invented numerous products that solved challenging healthcare delivery problems. Beverley Sorenson is a philanthropist and former teacher who founded the innovative Art Works for Kids program and has been a long-time champion of arts education for Utah elementary school children. The Sorenson Legacy Foundation is a charitable organization established by the late James LeVoy Sorenson.

The Meldrum Science Center is the capstone project in the college’s 10-year master plan. It will enable the college to accommodate growing student enrollments, house high-tech equipment and expand critical space for undergraduate research. It will also allow for the increasing numbers of science, pre-med, nursing and health care majors enrolling at the college. Westminster’s graduates in these areas are highly sought after by health care, biomedical and research employers throughout Utah and in other states.

“I am delighted that the Sorenson Legacy Foundation has recognized Westminster and our commitment to excellence in the sciences,” said Westminster President Michael S. Bassis. “The Sorenson Research Floor will be a place of great learning and exploration for our students and faculty.”

Designed by VCBO Architects and being constructed by Big-D Construction, the Meldrum Science Center will have 14 open and flexible classroom/laboratories and five dedicated undergraduate research laboratories. These state-of-the-art learning spaces will house high-tech, analytical equipment that is normally reserved for graduate study. The $30 million science center is designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The facility, which has been under construction since June 2008, will open for classes for the fall 2010 semester.

About Sorenson Legacy Foundation:
Based in Salt Lake City, The Sorenson Legacy Foundation is a non-profit corporation established by the James LeVoy Sorenson family for the purpose of promoting charitable, religious, educational, literary and scientific endeavors. For more information, visit www.sorensonlegacyfoundation.org.

About Westminster College:
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.