2017-2018 Update - Benedictine 2020

The Science and Engineering building project made great strides this year as part of Benedictine 2020: A Vision for Greatness, Benedictine College’s bold, innovative plan to build one of America’s Great Catholic Colleges.

Benedictine 2020 is achieving its vision to:

  • Educate America’s future leaders
  • Build for Greatness
  • Develop a World-Class Faculty

Westerman Hall

More than a year of renovation and new construction has passed as the largest capital project in the history of Benedictine College makes large strides toward completion. When complete, the new facility will give Benedictine College students the finest science and engineering building of any small college in the United States.

A blessed Medal of St. Benedict was placed in the new foundation in front of a large gathering of students, faculty and staff on Study Day, May 3. With that longstanding tradition, the building joined all other buildings on campus with a St. Benedict Medal encased in the foundation.

New Addition

The project includes a renovation of the existing 60,000 square foot science building and a 40,000 square foot addition.

The expansion to the south of the existing building has been framed, roofed and substantially enclosed. The electrical supply has been switched over to the new source and plumbing and electrical work continues.

Another new addition to campus is the Daglen Observatory. Located on a ridge west of campus, the observatory has greatly expanded the possibilities for those seeking Astronomy degrees. The facility was dedicated in conjunction with the Great American Eclipse and has been accepted into the Vatican Observatory Consortium.

Renovation

  • The façade on the Academic Quad is substantially completed and the building now has a similar brick and limestone appearance and peaked dormers that match the rest of campus.
  • The entryways on either end of the building are gone and a new center entrance is available.
  • The auditorium is complete and back in use
  • A new engineering shop is finished and in use.

Great American Eclipse

As part of Benedictine 2020, Benedictine College took full advantage of its location in the path of totality for the 2017 Great American Eclipse. Read more. The college hosted more than 5,000 people who traveled to campus to see the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.

Vatican Speakers

Benedictine College welcomed Fr. Christopher J. Corbally, S.J., President of the National Committee for Astronomy, Vatican City State, International Astronomical Union, and Fr. Paul Gabor, S.J., Vice Director for the Vatican Observatory Research Group. The visiting astronomers participated in the dedication of the Daglen Observatory and gave presentations on campus leading up to the eclipse. Read more.

Celestial Concert

In order to bring more of the college community to the event, the evening of the eclipse featured a space-themed concert by the Music Department.

Location