Texas A&M International University

TAMIU Dedicates
LBV Science Center, Planetarium

The dedication ceremonies began with a Mass led by Bishop James A. Tamayo at 10 a.m.  Dedication ceremonies and a tour of facilities followed.

The $24.5 million-plus three-story facility is 79,000-square feet in size and includes 40 distinct science labs in addition to classrooms, computer labs, an auditorium, faculty offices and the signature planetarium.

The Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center will be home to both science and social sciences faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences.  The first and second floors are dominated by science labs and computer labs, while the third floor is primarily faculty offices.

The Center is dedicated to Lamar Bruni Vergara by the trustees of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust.

The signature feature of the building is the 86-seat planetarium which will  include new generation digital projectors which allow viewing from any part of the known universe.

A powerful Digistar 3 System, the only one of its kind in the area, integrates graphics hardware and software to generate impressive full-dome images inside the “ball” which rests within glass-sheathed pyramid. Viewers sit in a comfortable  recliner like seating and watch shows overhead.

Architects for the Center and Planetarium are Kell-Muñoz Architects of San Antonio who also served as architects for Phase One and Two of the TAMIU campus.

Lamar Bruni Vergara, born in 1910 to Annie Reiser Bruni and Louis H. Bruni, was raised and educated in Laredo and spent much of her life becoming acquainted with the city and its citizens.

Her love for the city, and a fondness for its people lead naturally to a sincere interest in the welfare of the community. Over the years, she dedicated many unselfish hours to the Catholic Church as well as local social service organizations.

Upon her death, a trust was formed to dedicate her estate to a legacy of  continuous support of religious, health and educational initiatives in the community.

For additional information, contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email pais@tamiu.edu, visit offices in Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library 268 or click on tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu