Construction Underway On New Science Center

45,000-Square-Foot Facility to Double the Size of the College's Science Complex

Chestertown, MD, July 21, 2003 — Washington College has broken ground on a new $19 million Science Center to meet the demands of a steadily increasing number of science majors. Construction began in early June with the demolition of the Litrenta Lecture Hall wing on Dunning Hall and the rerouting of utilities to prepare the foundation. The new 45,000-square-foot building will double the size of the College's science teaching and research complex. Renovations to the existing Dunning-Decker Science Complex will be finished after the completion of the new science building, completing the total modernization of the College's science facilities.
“Our new Science Center has been designed to provide a lab-rich environment for supporting new and evolving models for teaching the sciences to undergraduates,” said Dr. John Toll, President Emeritus of Washington College, noting the College's dedication to an engaged, hands-on approach of collaborative research between students and professors.
While total student enrollment at Washington College has grown from 789 in 1986-87 to 1362 in 2002-03, the number of science majors has tripled in the same period. To meet the needs of these students, the new Science Center and the renovated Dunning-Decker Science Complex will provide cutting-edge laboratories for teaching and research in the natural and behavioral sciences, as well as in mathematics and computer science. The goal, Dr. Toll added, is to provide adequate space for both experiential learning and for faculty research. The new facility will have teaching laboratories, research laboratories and laboratory support space. For classroom space, a new trend in science facilities will be followed: small-group instruction rooms equipped with mobile “white boards.” For reasons of safety and security, renovations will include an automated card access security system for labs, stores and supplies. The new and renovated buildings will meet all current requirements for Life Safety and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This new construction and renovation is the largest capital project in the history of Washington College. The Maryland General Assembly appropriated $2,575,000 in 2002 and private fundraising has brought in additional monies, including $2.7 million from the College's Board of Visitors and Governors and $531,000 raised toward a $1-million goal to name the three-story glass atrium connecting the Science Center with the Dunning-Decker Science Complex in honor of the late chemistry professor and Washington College President Joseph H. McLain.
In addition to these gifts and support from reunion classes, other major funding has come from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, $200,000 from Whiting-Turner Contracting, $100,000 from Roy Ans, Class of 1963, $100,000 from the late Ivon Culver, Class of 1935, and $100,000 from the George I. Alden Trust. Also, the College has received a grant of $48,300 from the National Science Foundation to outfit an aquaculture lab to study fish acoustic behavior, a research specialization for Washington College biology professor Martin Connaughton.
Washington College currently offers bachelor of science degrees in biology and biochemistry, chemistry, physics and psychology/behavioral neuroscience; a minor in earth and planetary science; and special courses of study in engineering, environmental studies, nursing, pharmacy science and premed.
Fundraising for the new Science Center is ongoing with opportunities available to sponsor and to name department research suites, teaching and research laboratories, seminar and classrooms, and faculty offices. For more information, contact the Washington College Office of Development and Parent and Alumni Relations at 410-778-7801.

University Names Building in Honor of Dr. John Toll

Chestertown, MD, May 10, 2001 — In a practice hearkening to grand, old university traditions, the University of Maryland, College Park renamed its physics building in honor of Washington College President John Toll during a ceremony held Thursday, May 3, 2001. The renaming acknowledges Dr. Toll's important contributions as the former physics department chair at Maryland and former president and chancellor of the University of Maryland System (now the University System of Maryland).

"In baseball, Yankee Stadium is rightly known as 'The house that Ruth built'. In the same way, our department should be known as the 'The department that Toll built'," said physics department chair Jordan A. Goodman during the naming ceremony. "Professor Toll is, in large part, responsible for building this department, which is now one of the largest and best-known physics departments in the world."

After earning a B.S. degree with highest honors in physics from Yale in 1944, Toll served in the Navy during WWII. In 1952 he completed his Ph.D. in physics at Princeton, where he helped establish what is now the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. In 1953 he became chair of Maryland's physics department, which was broadened to create the astronomy program. Thirteen years later he left to take over the presidency of the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In 1978 he returned, first as President and later as Chancellor of the expanded University of Maryland system.

Toll was a Guggenheim Fellow, has held leadership roles in dozens of organizations, and has received national and international honors and honorary degrees. He pioneered the establishment of relations between the State of Maryland and China as one of the first university presidents to visit China in the 1970's.

In physics he is recognized as a leader in developing the modern approach to dispersion theory and its application to problems on elementary particle physics. Upon Toll's leaving the Chancellor's Office in 1989 and returning to the Department of Physics, the Board of Regents conferred upon him the status of Chancellor Emeritus. He currently serves as President of Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, and as a part-time physics faculty member in the University of Maryland's College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

Toll was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his "distinguished achievements in advancing quantum field theory and for unparalleled leadership in strengthening academia and science education in the U.S." Since 1874, the Council has elected members whose "efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished." Members will be recognized during the Association's Annual Meeting in February.

Last year Toll also was chosen as the distinguished Marylander for the Year 2000 by the University of Maryland chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. The award is given each year to a "distinguished Marylander who has made significant contributions to the University of Maryland."

"This honor is unexpected and humbling," said Toll. "I am proud to be part of the history and great traditions of the University of Maryland."

Washington College Dedicates Louis L. Goldstein Hall

Chestertown, MD, August 15, 2000 — Washington College will celebrate the dedication of Goldstein Hall, its newest academic building, at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 27.

The $4 million facility honors the memory of Louis L. Goldstein, Maryland's legendary comptroller and the nation's longest serving elected official.

Goldstein Hall is the only academic building in the state of Maryland to bear the name of this revered public servant. Among the honored guests who plan to attend the ceremony are Goldstein's children, Louisa, Phillip and Margaret, as well as such state and local officials as William Donald Schaefer, Comptroller; Richard Dixon, Treasurer; Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, President of the Senate; Casper Taylor, Speaker of the House; Paul S. Sarbanes, U.S. Senator; Steny H. Hoyer, U.S. Congressman; Wheeler R. Baker, Maryland Delegate; and Margo Bailey, Mayor of Chestertown.

Louis L. Goldstein graduated from Washington College in 1935 and remained a dedicated alumnus all his life. He joined the Washington College Board of Visitors and Governors in 1957 and served the College throughout his tenure as State Comptroller. Goldstein was chairman of the board for 18 years until his death in 1998. He spoke often of his connection to the College, saying, "As someone who loves history, I take particular pride in Washington College. Our history, so closely linked to the creation of a new nation, is what distinguishes us from other selective liberal arts colleges in the country." Robert G. Smith, vice president for Development, said, "We at Washington College respected him as a distinguished alumnus, proud parent, and great leader."

The College has set a goal of raising $2 million in private funds for the support of Goldstein Hall. To date, gifts and other commitments total $1.1 million. Gifts and pledges of any size will be accepted by the College through the end of December 2000 to be fulfilled over three years. Donors of $1,000 or more will be recognized on a commemorative plaque in the building. Rooms in the building will be named in honor of those giving $15,000 or more. Leading the Friends of Louis L. Goldstein Committee in soliciting support for the project are Comptroller Schaefer, former Chestertown Mayor Elmer E. Horsey and former Maryland Deputy Comptroller Robert L. Swann.

The construction of Goldstein Hall has been financed by the state of Maryland, which provided half the cost, and The Campaign for Washington's College.

Announced just two years ago, the $72-million-dollar Campaign now totals $61.1 million. Louis Goldstein made the first contribution to the campaign, a gift of $1 million. The Campaign goals are to build and maintain facilities such as Goldstein Hall and to support academic distinction through scholarships, professorships, research centers, equipment and academic support.

This fall Washington College, a liberal arts school located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, will enroll its largest entering class ever. Once again, National Honor Society and Cum Laude Society members represent 51% of the freshman class.

Goldstein Hall has been built to meet the academic needs of the growing student population. It will house 3 classrooms, 5 seminar rooms, 2 teaching laboratories, a 75-seat lecture hall, 24 faculty offices, and consolidated office space for the Writing Center, Math Workshop and Study Skills Office.

Goldstein Hall was designed by architects Steve Parker and Rick Morrison of Grimm & Parker Associates of Calverton, Md. Harper & Sons, Inc., general contractors based in Easton, oversaw the construction of the building.