Southern Utah University gets $1 million building grant

CEDAR CITY (AP) — Southern Utah University will get $1 million for its new science building from a private foundation.

The Spectrum reports the funding comes from the ALSAM Foundation. The foundation was created by drug store magnate L.S. "Sam" Skaggs and his wife, Aline, owners of American Stores.

SUU President Michael T. Benson says the "extraordinary gift" from the foundation also includes an endowment that will provide for student scholarships and research.

The new building will be more than 42,000 square feet and include state-of-the-art laboratory space. Science students make up more than 20 percent of SUU's 8,000 students.

The building is in its final phase of construction and is expected to open for classes in the fall.