"Sanford Health is impressed with the efforts and results of the Science Center campaign,” says Sanford CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft '80, a member of the Concordia Board of Regents. “While we typically do not invest in general science infrastructure, we were moved by the market impact for enrollment growth and the focus on health careers at Concordia as a result of this project. We look forward to making the match after others’ gifts have come in.”
The $45 million complex will update Ivers and Jones Science Center. The more than 130,000 square feet of renovated construction will include 19 teaching labs and 16 classrooms. The space includes flexible classrooms, T-search labs designed for both teaching and research, and other specialized laboratories.
“We are delighted by this generous gift and by the ongoing partnership with Sanford, a partnership of shared values and of collaboration in education and service,” says President William Craft. “Science study and health professions preparation are marks of distinction for Concordia College and its talented graduates, who regularly become leaders in medicine, nursing, research, and healthcare administration. This match will inspire new giving to the project, for which fundraising has already been strong.”
This gift represents the largest corporate gift to date for the integrated science complex. The college has raised $27 million with the intent to raise at least $30 million in gifts to fully maximize the Sanford Health match. Fundraising is ongoing.
Construction will begin in April 2016 with an expected completion date of August 2017.
“We need more good people to join the Sanford family. Investing in our local colleges helps keep our communities thriving,” says Paul Richard, president of Sanford Fargo. “We look forward to others joining us in this important future for students and the community we serve."
Sanford Health is an integrated health system headquartered in the Dakotas and is now the largest, rural, not-for-profit health care system in the nation.