Alumni Weekend and the Sesquicentennial Celebration on April 26-27, 2013

Publication date: Tue, Oct 01, 2013 - 12:00am
Dean Steve Goodwin, College of Natural Sciences, hosted a science alumni reception in the atrium of the Integrated Science Building on April 27th. The Integrated Science Building [ISB] located on North Pleasant Street across from Hasbrouck welcomed one of its beneficiaries, who spoke on the meaning of being a part of the massive project to plan, construct, and shepard this building complex to completion. Dean Goodwin is also proud of the Center for Agriculture Research and Extension.
George R. Richason, Jr., professor emeritus Chemistry, had a conversation with Jim Ricci about another chemistry faculty member, the late Everett Turner. By tradition, the oldest faculty recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award carries the University Mace at the annual commencement ceremonies. Until the 1970’s only two professors had carried the mace in the history of the University –our Bill Ross and George. George retired in 1976.
Brothers Robert ‘70, Richard ‘55, and William Mahoney ‘55 were all Chemistry majors from the Springfield area. The private gift from Kathleen and Robert Mahoney and Richard and Barbara Mahoney underwrote a huge portion matched by University capital funds. Since initiation of the ISB project, Past Presidents of the University, William Bulger, and John Lombardi, Robert Holub separately had praised the Mahoneys for their many ways of contribution to UMass. Robert served as a Trustee for six years and as a member of the Board of Directors of the UMass Amherst Foundation. William is the past Chair of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Advisory Council. An annual chemistry lecture is present in his name. To keep really current with contemporary students, he has taught a course, “The Business of Science, Contemporary Industrial Practices,” on the Amherst campus. The image on this page shows Margaret E McCarthy, Robert Mahoney, and Steve Goodwin.
Marshall Hall was demolished in 1996 to provide space for the ISB. Marshall Hall built in 1916 served as The Bacteriology Laboratory and was renamed in 1937 to honor former faculty member Charles E. Marshall. Dr. Marshall had served as the first head of the Department of Bacteriology, Director of the Graduate School, and Director of the Experiment Station. In 1947 the Annex was added to provide extra research space and in later years housed an art studio. Professor Marshall’s daughter, Maude Marshall, PhD, was the author’s organic chemistry instructor at Wheaton College.
Interdisciplinary teams of students and researchers in chemistry, biology, animal science, and neuroscience are housed in this $80 million, 140,000 square foot science facility. The University has embarked on a large project to work with Baystate Medical Center to develop a life science industry and a clinical component. The opening foundation dedication occurred Sept 2009. “The ISB houses all undergraduate chemistry teaching labs and upper-division labs for molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and physiology. These offer specialized microscopes and access to advanced imaging technologies, lasers and sophisticated tissue culture facilities. The building also provides individual Internet and computer connections in its 48-seat lecture hall, a student computer room, small group and seminar rooms, distance-learning capabilities, plus research and office space for Veterinary and Animal Sciences faculty.” There is a roof garden installed over the chiller plant and loading docks. All of the steel recycled from the 2006 demolition of the Marshall Annex was reused.
Rainwater in the cooling system is recycled. Labs and offices have hot water, radiant perimeter ceiling panels to provide perimeter heating to monitor minimal airflow during unoccupied times. Motion detectors turn designated lighting fixtures off when not in use. Special high use resistance flooring is made from partially recycled-content vinyl and ceramic tiles.
The ISB has of eco-friendly materials—bamboo and a high efficiency, heat exchange system for heating and ventilation. In the heating season exhaust air from the classroom wing will be used to preheat incoming cold air serving the lab areas. The exchange system recovers 50 percent more heat and moisture than a typical system used in laboratory buildings. The use of both steam and electric chillers balances steam and electric consumption in conjunction with the relatively new Central Heating Plant. The ISB is a great addition to the UMass / Amherst campus waiting for you to tour.

(Contributed by Margaret McCarthy)