Lt. Governor Dewhurst Helps Break Ground for New TAMIU Science Building

Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst will help to break ground for the newest addition to Texas A&M International University's growing campus in brief afternoon ceremonies Wednesday, June 25.

Prior to the groundbreaking, Dewhurst will provide a special Legislative Review beginning at 2 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Student Center. The groundbreaking for the Science Building will follow. Both events are open to the public.

The new Science Building is part of the University's Phase IV expansion and will house its growing science program, labs and classrooms and faculty offices.

Architects for the building are Kell Muñoz of San Antonio. Project contractors are Constructors and Associates, Inc., also of San Antonio. The project cost of construction and primary furnishings for the building is $21.6 million.

The architectural highlight of the 77,920-gross square foot building is a planetarium housed within a glass pyramid with seating for 85.

Among the building's 30 labs are dedicated facilities for sedimentology, environmental science, advanced physics and engineering, geophysics and geochemistry and microbacterial-genetics and others. A lecture hall will offer seating for 122. The building also includes 40 offices for University faculty and administration.

Expected construction time is two years.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326.2180

University summer office hours are from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday. University offices are closed on Fridays.

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