Renovated Duffy Science Centre Officially Opens
The University of Prince Edward Island held a special ceremony on Thursday, May 4 to celebrate the official reopening and rededication of the Duffy Science Centre. Since November 2004, the centre has undergone a complete $6.9 million renovation.
The Duffy Science Centre is home to the departments of Biology and Physics. The renovations have added first-class research laboratories as well as improved teaching facilities, including the 280-seat lecture theatre. The north lobby has been expanded, all windows have been replaced, and an elevator has been added for improved accessibility.
Honourable Mildred Dover, Minister of Education, opened the event. "The provincial government was pleased to contribute to the renovation. Up-to-date facilities are especially important to teaching and learning science where labs and technology are essential and learning is greatly enhanced by spaces to share ideas and collaborate," said Minister Dover.
"This is a splendid achievement, a complete renewal of our teaching and research facilities in Biology and Physics," said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "With generous support from the Province and private donors, the new Duffy Science Centre will be a platform for success by UPEI students and staff for at least a generation."
The open-concept research laboratories group scientists with particular interests together in theme-orientated facilities including Aquatic Ecology, Cell Molecular Biology, Terrestrial Ecology, Computational Physics and Material Science. Improved classrooms and teaching laboratories, as well as computer access and study space provide both undergraduate and graduate students with new learning opportunities not present before the renovations.
"The original building needed substantial remodeling to meet the needs of faculty members with vibrant research programs and to provide students with a study environment that embodies opportunities to be part of the research endeavors. The new Duffy building does precisely that," said Dr. Roger Gordon, Dean of Science and host of the ceremony.
The celebration included acknowledgment of a special leadership gift of $500,000 made in December to the Building a Legacy Campaign by Mrs. Margaret Duffy, widow of Dr. St. Clair Duffy. Dr. Duffy was an alumnus of St. Dunstan's University and an honorary graduate of UPEI (SDU'20, LLD Hon 1963.) He made a substantial leadership gift to UPEI in 1963 to help construct the Duffy Science Building. His nephew, Dr. Regis Duffy, is the current Chair of the UPEI Board of Governors.
"My uncle, Dr. St. Clair Duffy, was very proud of his PEI background and his alma mater, St. Dunstan's University. He and Margaret retained a strong love and attachment to the land of his birth," said Dr. Duffy.
When the building officially opened in May 1967, Dr. St. Clair Duffy's gift was acknowledged by a special plaque. Dr. Regis and Mrs. Joan Duffy unveiled a new plaque on May 4, 2006 that rededicates the Duffy Science Centre to Mrs. Margaret Duffy and the late Dr. St. Clair Duffy.
