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September 25, 2015

Roberts Celebrates Grand Opening of Crothers Science & Nursing Center

   

New building designed to provide superior educational environment for science and nursing students

Nearly 200 community members gathered today at Roberts Wesleyan College to celebrate the grand opening of its new and highly anticipated Crothers Science & Nursing Center. The 44,000-square-foot, two-story facility will house first-rate educational facilities for science and nursing education at Roberts Wesleyan.

“The Crothers Science & Nursing Center represents our commitment to advanced science and nursing learning experiences for our students,” President Dr. Deana L. Porterfield said. “The building is designed specifically for providing a superior educational environment.I am confident that this facility will serve the next generation of leaders in the health, science and technology industries and will help Roberts continue to attract the best and brightest students and faculty.”

The new building features state-of-the-art classrooms, advanced simulation laboratories and an experimental greenhouse. Its simulators have realistic features — such as blinking eyes, pulses, and breathing, heart and lung sounds — that respond to nursing students’ practices. It is complete with advanced instrumentation and scientific equipment, modern teaching laboratories, several specialized labs, and dedicated research space in biology, chemistry and forensic science that brings together students, faculty and staff, both in and outside the classroom.

“Our simulation labs are equipped with lifelike patient simulators, as well as hospital and office equipment, to give students real-life experiences in a safe learning environment,” said Dr. Cheryl Crotser, dean of the School of Nursing at Roberts Wesleyan College. “These simulation labs will bring social work, nursing, criminal justice and other programs together for inter-professional, integrated and collaborative educational experiences to prepare our students for professional practice.”

The Crothers Science & Nursing Center was made possible in part through a significant naming gift from anonymous donors who chose to designate the building in honor of William C. and Rilla L. Crothers. William C. Crothers served as president of Roberts Wesleyan College from 1981 to 2002.

“Rilla and I are honored to have this building named for us. However, we are more excited about the advancement of Roberts to provide science, technology and nursing programs for career preparation,” William C. Crothers said. “It is imperative to focus on real-world learning.”

Faculty and staff will focus on the trends in health care today, fully integrated teaching and education for students in simulation experiences.

“We want our students learning exactly what they need to know to work in hospitals, and this facility is the place to do just that. This new facility further emphasizes Roberts’ strategic focus on transformational learning experiences, engaged service and innovative programs. We are so grateful for the generous donors and the many individuals and organizations who contributed gifts to Roberts Wesleyan’s Legacy 150 Campaign to help make this facility possible. As we start our 150th year in 2016, this building helps propel the institution forward in terms of the programs we can offer our students. It also shows the development of our campus over the years to meet the ever-changing needs of the greater Rochester area and the world around us.” Porterfield added. 

SWBR Architects and LeChase Construction were responsible for the building design and construction. The project broke ground in March 2014.

For more information on the Crothers Science & Nursing Center, visit roberts.edu.

Local News Coverage, see links below:

13 WHAM TV | Sept 25

D&C Article | Sept 25


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