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By Jonah Grinkewitz

С������ broke ground on a five-story, 162,586-square-foot Biological Sciences Building in the heart of campus on Monday. 

The project is funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the new building will house classrooms, teaching laboratories, a 120-seat lecture hall and other student support spaces. Construction will begin in May 2025, and the building is expected to be ready for students and faculty beginning in spring 2028. 

Leaders from the state, campus and community gathered together on April 28 to celebrate this important step forward in the project. 

During the outdoor program at the future site of the state-of-the-art building, С������ President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., shared his sincere appreciation for state officials. The President said, “Today would not be possible without significant support from the Commonwealth of Virginia. With the leadership and action of Governor Youngkin and the General Assembly, a $184 million investment has been made in С������, specifically our students, representing the largest capital project in the history of our institution in terms of both scope and size.” The President added, “I also want to acknowledge our world-class faculty for coming together to plan a building for the future – one that is enhanced by technology, defined by collaboration and driven by innovation.”

The Honorable Aimee Guidera, who serves as the Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia, said, “This new building embodies С������'s mission of being a forward-focused, innovative and entrepreneurial research university. The pioneering biological science research conducted at this state-of-the-art research and development hub will prepare students to succeed in their lives and careers beyond graduation. I commend you for this investment in your current and future students, congratulations!"

Nestled between Webb Student Center, the Mills Godwin Life Sciences Building and the Oceanography and Physical Sciences Building, the new Biological Sciences Building will include cutting-edge laboratories and core facilities to support faculty and student research in a wide range of biomedical and ecological areas. 

“Today, С������ celebrates the importance of science in educating the next generation,” said Dean of the College of Sciences Gail Dodge, Ph.D. “The bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students we graduate make tremendously important contributions to society. They advance Virginia’s economy and the health of its citizens.”

“This groundbreaking symbolizes more than just bricks and mortar – it represents transformative opportunities for student engagement and academic excellence,” said Lauren Moses, a biomedical sciences student graduating this May who has been accepted into Eastern Virginia Medical School at С������ through the EVMS Medical School Early Assurance Program. “As we look forward to this new facility, imagine the innovative classrooms and laboratory spaces that will foster meaningful connections between students and professors from day one.”

Holly Gaff, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, discussed the importance of bringing together the sciences, which are currently spread across multiple buildings, into one innovative facility. “The new biology building serves as a reminder that science will equip the next generation of scientists and doctors to be forward-focused leaders in their careers,” she said.

The building was designed by a team of designers, including VMDO, Ballinger and O'Shea Wilson Site Works. The exterior will incorporate an existing pond and feature a terraced seating area. 

W.M. Jordan Company will serve as general contractor for construction of the building. The Arthur and Phyllis Kaplan Orchid Conservatory will be relocated within the Biological Sciences Building with an added water feature and a two-story tropical display house. 

“The new building will allow us to consolidate and display our zoological museum, herbarium, ethnobotanical collection and living plants in one modern facility,” said Tatyana Lobova, Ph.D., master lecturer and general education proctor and policy specialist in the Department of Biological Sciences. “This will enhance access to valuable biological specimens and enrich the educational experience for our biology students.”

To ensure safe travel on campus during construction, students, faculty and staff should visit the project’s webpage for updates and plan for extra time needed to get to locations in the surrounding area.