Sorenson Legacy Foundation donates to Westminster science building

SALT LAKE CITY – The latest gift from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation is helping Westminster College to fill a building already under construction.

Thanks to a $833,000 donation, the Meldrum Science Center will have an entire floor devoted to science education, complete with integrated laboratories and classrooms that help the school teach in the growing fields of genetics, microbiology, anatomy, physiology and undergraduate research.

The money will also help to build and outfit faculty offices, a conference room and a student lounge on the James LeVoy and Beverly Sorenson Research Floor.

What happens there "will complement our family's desire to advance science and technology through innovation," said Joan Fenton, Sorenson's daughter and foundation trustee.

The 60,000 square-foot Meldrum Science Center is the capstone project of Westminster's 10-year master plan. It is projected to enable the college to accommodate growing student enrollment — including growing numbers of students interested in science, pre-med, nursing and health-related careers — house high-tech equipment and expand critical space for undergraduate research.

Westminster President Michael Bassis said he was grateful to the family and the foundation for recognizing the school's commitment to excellence in the sciences. "The Sorenson research floor will be a place of great learning and exploration for our students and faculty," he said.

The $30 million building, which will have 14 open and flexible classroom/labs and five dedicated undergraduate research labs, is expected to open for fall 2010 classes. Construction began in June 2008.

e-mail: wleonard@desnews.com