Biology Department holding special events to celebrate 50th anniversary of Jewett Hall opening

Groundbreaking for Jewett Hall, above, took place in 1961, exactly 50 years prior to the groundbreaking for the new Science Center, which will become the new home for the sciences in 2014. Above are, left to right, Dr. GIlbert Moos (chemistry), President Oscar Lanford, Julius Weinberg (College Council), and an unidentified man.

The Biology Department at SUNY Fredonia is planning several events Sept. 28 and 29 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jewett Hall, including a buffet dinner at the College Lodge on Saturday at 7 p.m. Entitled, "Memories and Reflections," remarks will be given by Emeritus Professors Kevin Fox, Wayne Yunghans and Kenneth Mantai.

Tickets can be purchased for the events online through the Alumni website at https://www.fredonia.edu/alumni

See the Jewett Hall Anniversary webpage>>

Sept. 28 and 29 is also Homecoming Weekend at SUNY Fredonia. See Homecoming webpage>>

Concurrently, the SUNY Fredonia Science Alumni Conference will provide a forum to showcase the diverse and significant contributions to science made by science alumni, hwo are giving 20 minute talks on their research in the Williams Center on Saturday.

In 1963, Jewett Hall opened its doors to begin a new era in science education at SUNY Fredonia. It was the college's first building dedicated exclusively to science and mathematics. For the last 50 years, it has been the academic home for two thousand Biology department majors, and several hundred Chemistry, Physics, and Geosciences majors.

"We plan to reminisce and reflect on the days spent in Jewett Hall, and look forward to another new era of science education in the Science Center, now under construction," said Biology Department Chairperson Patricia Astry. 

Friday, Sept. 28, 2012

4 p.m.-- Keynote Seminar by 1978 graduate Dennis J. Thiele, Ph.D. (professor at Duke University Medical Center), Jewett 101. All welcome.
5 p.m.-- Student Research Posters and Reception for Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Students. Jewett Hall Lobby.

Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012

9 to 11 a.m.--Coffee (Biology Alumni--Jewett Hall Lobby; Natural Sciences Alumni--Houghton Hall Foyer). 
11:30 a.m.--Alumni Awards Brunch, Cranston Marche (Biology alumnus Dr. Dennis Thiele will be honored as an Outstanding Fredonia Alum)
1 to 4 p.m.--SUNY Fredonia Science Alumni Conference: 20 minute concurrent presentations by Fredonia science alums. Williams Center.
5 to 6 p.m. -- Natural History Tours at College Lodge given by Drs. Bill Brown and Jon Titus
6 to 7 p.m.-- Beer and Wine Bar – College Lodge
7 p.m.--Buffet Dinner, College Lodge. "Memories and Reflections," is the title of the evening, and remarks will be given by emeritus professors Wayne Yunghans, Kevin Fox, and Kenneth E. Mantai. 

History of Jewett Hall 

On a fall day in 1963, a new, red brick building opened its doors at Fredonia State Teacher's College--it was the campus's first science and mathematics building. Naming the facility after Franklin N. Jewett, the man who headed the Science Department for 45 years at the Fredonia Normal School, Fredonia State committed itself to excellence in the natural sciences. At 65,530 sq. ft., it was built at a cost of $1.5 million.

That same day, Jewett Hall was dedicated along with three other new buildings: Dods (athletics), Nixon and Chautauqua (both residence halls). These new structures doubled the number of buildings at Fredonia, signifying promising growth for the westernmost campus of the very young State University of New York system. Already built were Mason, Gregory, and Fenton.

Within a decade, Fredonia State's physical campus would take another dramatic leap, this time with the I.M. Master Plan. By 1970, Jewett Hall was completely dedicated to the learning and teaching of Biology.

As the 50th anniversary of Jewett Hall arrives this fall, the campus community is on the brink of another new era in the exploration of natural sciences. Only yards away is the construction site of Fredonia's next science building, one that restores the teaching and learning of the natural sciences to the unity and interactivity first experienced in Jewett. By 2014 when the new facility opens, the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) programs at SUNY Fredonia will be brought together again in a unified complex that will also include a renovated Houghton Hall—the structures will be connected.

Several possibilities for the future of Jewett Hall have been proposed, and are currently under review.