The Richard King Mellon Foundation has awarded a $7 million grant to Saint Vincent College toward construction costs of the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Complex that will house the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing.

"This generous gift represents the largest private foundation gift ever received by Saint Vincent College," commented Jim Towey, President. "We are truly grateful to the Richard King Mellon Foundation for its leadership grant to this exciting project which will advance the academic excellence and regional prominence of the Boyer School by helping us build state-of-the-art facilities."

"This support by the Foundation reflects a shared commitment and efforts to enrich the educational, economic, and environmental conditions in southwestern Pennsylvania," noted Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancellor. "Prior support has enabled the development of the Business/Conference Center at the Fred M. Rogers Center which will open in the fall and the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve which opened last year and serves as a resource for our Environmental Education Program and the Monastery Run Improvement Project."

Saint Vincent announced May 1 a major expansion of its science buildings -- the largest building project in its history. This $40 million fundraising project will finance the expansion of the Science Complex as well as provide endowment for science faculty professorships, student scholarships and research and ongoing facility operation and maintenance.

“With this new Science Complex, the Boyer School will have a facility that builds on our historically strong programs, will promote student/faculty research that is interdisciplinary, and enable the College to be a leader in the national effort to improve math and science education,” commented Br. Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., Dean of the Boyer School and Executive Vice President.

The planned building project will renovate nearly 60,000 square feet of space and add another 45,000 square feet of new construction to the original Science Center built in 1969.

Groundbreaking is expected in 2009 with completion in 2011.

The Richard King Mellon Foundation was created in 1947 by Richard King Mellon (1899-1970), chairman of Mellon Bank, conservationist, and dominant figure in the financial, industrial, and civic life of Pittsburgh for many years. For 60 years, the Foundation has maintained a commitment to southwestern Pennsylvania.

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