Pearson Hall renovation

Building world-class programs

“The Pearson Hall renovations will create a modern teaching, training and research hub that will promote and empower the connections between classrooms and research labs. The renovated teaching and research facilities will foster the instruction of the next generation of educators, scientists and citizens, who will have an impact on the quality of life in Ohio and across the nation." – Luis A. Actis, Chair of Microbiology

Miami’s life science departments of biology and microbiology have a demonstrated record of excellence. Life science faculty, staff and students conduct nationally and internationally recognized research leading to discoveries and technologies that fuel innovation and new lines of inquiry, job creation and economic growth.

  • Approximately 50 percent of Miami graduates in the life sciences enter graduate or professional school after graduation.

  • Miami graduates the second highest number of undergraduate students in the “hard sciences” (life and biological sciences, physical sciences and mathematics) among Ohio public universities.

  • Miami graduates the fourth highest number of STEM undergraduate students among Ohio public universities.

  • Annually, more than 2,000 Miami undergraduates work on externally funded research projects and about 40 percent of Miami seniors work on a research project with a faculty member.

  • Miami is the top public university in that nation for its “unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching” according to U.S. News & World Report.

A home for students

With construction finished in 1985 and built on historic Miami Field, Pearson Hall has long been essential to Miami’s production of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates. Named for Dr. Paul G. Pearson, president of the university from 1981-1992, Pearson Hall is now undergoing the first serious renovation in its 33-year history of service to Miami students.

This widely used facility houses:

  • More than 80 percent of all Miami undergraduates taking at least one course;

  • More than 8,000 students per year utilizing the building;

  • 96,000 hours of laboratory and related research conducted by undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in STEM independent study courses.

Through this renovation process, Pearson Hall will transform from an academic facility into a true home for our biology, microbiology, zoology and botany students. The building’s classrooms, features and common areas are designed to support our goal of providing a first-rate education for students while at the same time giving them a space to call their own.

Restoration and revitalization

Interior drawings and floorplans

This $65 million project will transform Pearson Hall into a signature space for Miami’s natural science students.

Through the renovation and modernization of classrooms and laboratory space, the work at Pearson Hall will result in a state-of-the-art, collaborative work environment that will increase productivity and enhance partnerships.

Improvements include:

  • Rehabilitating all teaching laboratories, classrooms and seminar rooms;

  • Revamping research laboratories into scalable, flexible, high-performing labs;

  • Equipping the building with safer fume hoods;

  • Renovating classroom and teaching space into state-of-the-art teaching, research and instrumentation laboratories;

  • New energy efficient mechanical systems.

Why Pearson?

With your support, we will continue to produce well-rounded graduates of exceptional distinction with a nationally recognized, award-winning faculty dedicated to excellence in teaching and research.

Transforming Pearson Hall into a contemporary structure with state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, updated facilities and flexible research laboratories is crucial in preparing students for a modern workplace, recruiting and retaining high-quality students, and recruiting and retaining preeminent faculty.

This renovation addresses one of the highest need academic buildings for the university and keeps with Miami’s long-term capital plan to renovate STEM facilities. The upgrades allow Miami to capitalize on its existing strengths, including bolstering two premier life sciences programs – the Departments of Biology and Microbiology – that offer courses and collaborative cutting-edge research experiences.

For more information, contact Evan Lichtenstein, senior director of development, at 513-529-1263 or lichteec@MiamiOH.edu.

 

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