Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on Friday, February 20, 1959.

Last Monday at 2:00 p.m. the official ground breaking for the new science building was held north of Rice Hall. Mayor George Schnell-bacher, member of the Board of Regents, began the ground breaking ceremonies.

Bryan S. Stoffer, president of Washburn University, recognized the significance of this milestone in the history of the university. He introduced several persons who were present. Those present were: Arthur J. Carruth, chairman of the Board of Regents; Charles Bennett, contractor; Dr. William J. McKeefery, vice president of the university; Richard G. Vogel, treasurer; Dr. Arthur F. Englebert, dean of the college; and Lloyd Durow, superintendent of buildings and grounds.

The building, as promised by Mr. Bennett, will be completed in 500 days. The plan of the building is to include a chemistry department on the third floor, a biology department on the second floor, physics and home economics departments on the first floor, and an engineering drawing department in the basement.