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Rendering: Spillman Farmer Architects

Now open, PSU-LV’s $14.4 million expansion project offers a new dining facility, extensive student resources and networking spaces, a STEM wing and
organic chemistry lab.

Penn State Lehigh Valley completes $14.4 million expansion

project including STEM wing and dining facilities.

Growth is never by chance; It is the The group also used their massive contributions by private donors and through
result of forces working together. network to reach industry experts in the generosity of the PSU-LV SGA which
– James Cash Penney manufacturing, technology and more. committed $1.6 million to the project.
And the forces at Penn State Lehigh The result? “As our students return, they are beyond
Valley (PSU-LV) are the perfect example. A new 20,500 square foot three-story excited to explore and use this new
With enrollment numbers climbing since addition that boasts a new dining facility, space,” said Tom Dubreuil, director of
relocating to its Center Valley location in student services and networking spaces, student affairs. “From the fresh culinary
2009, campus leadership recognized the and a science, technology, engineering and options, including halal foods, to the
need for continued resource expansion and mathematics (STEM) wing, with an organic additional networking space and chem lab
committed to strategic growth that would chemistry lab named after the former – we’ve made a meaningful mark on PSU-
feed Valley employers the skill sets needed Congressman Charlie Dent ’82, who lent LV history – and no doubt the countless
to fuel our local economy – well into the his voice and support to the project. students who will be impacted for years
future. Given that more than 85% of PSU- to come!”
LV students are regional residents, the logic “The Charles W. Dent STEM wing will Spillman Farmer Architects and Alvin H.
A Special Advertising Section of The Morning Call
was solid. They would likely seek degrees support the campus’ current health Butz Inc. led the construction project
that would ensure strong local employment degree programs, and provide our which ended this summer. Campus/
opportunities, knowing they would students the opportunity to complete expansion tours can be booked on the
earn credentials that would be globally the full complement of undergraduate campus website: lehighvalley.psu.edu.
recognized if they later chose to move. courses required for medical school Additional naming opportunities are also
here, where the student to faculty ratio is
With that in mind, Dr. Tina Richardson, 15:1,” said Richardson. available by contacting Kate Ginnard at
Chancellor of PSU-LV, embarked on a 610-285-5072 or kmg73@psu.edu.
learning journey with local employers “Coming from a pre-med major, it will
two years prior to the pandemic. Working allow for more STEM majors to take
with PSU-LV advisory board leaders classes like organic chemistry close to
Howard Kulp and Kate Durso, as well as home,” said Hibah Akbar, former PSU-LV
its then chair and now retired Chairman Student Government Association (SGA)
and CEO of PPL, Bill Spence, to garner president, at a groundbreaking ceremony
insights and information from these top last spring. “But even if you’re not in
executives, plans for the new space were majors, and conversations to be had
| STEM, it will open doors for more classes,
Sunday, August 29, 2021 “Healthcare was among the industries diversification that is already being seen Dr. Tina Richardson, Chancellor of PSU-LV (pictured
thoughtfully underway.
about initiatives, education, and further
Image: Rachael Wolfe Photography
we explored,” said Chancellor Richardson.
by our students.”
“Our regional partners told us exactly
right) looks on as the speeches are delivered to a crowd
The $14.4M renovation project was funded
what type of talent they would need
of nearly 250 people who came to celebrate the PSU-LV
4 five years from now and beyond.” by the university, through significant expansion groundbreaking ceremony on March 4.