Mark Brown/University of St. Thomas

STEAM Rises: The Building of Schoenecker Center

As the University of St. Thomas crossed the halfway point to opening the 130,000-square-foot Schoenecker Center, its new home for science, technology, arts, engineering and mathematics, the McGough Construction crew and naming donors marked the moment by signing the steel beam that was placed at the highest point on the building.

This act, known in the building industry as a “topping off” ceremony, marks a milestone on the building project. At St. Thomas, the event recognized the many people who came together to make the Schoenecker Center possible. 

The Schoenecker Center, on track to open in spring 2024 on south campus, will meld the teaching of arts and sciences under one roof, building connections between these subjects. 

“St. Thomas already boasts impressive engineering facilities,” said members of the Blattner family, whose Henry and Angelena Blattner’s Foundation 94 made a gift to support the completion of a robotics facility within Schoenecker. “We are pleased to be able to donate to the new Schoenecker Center and for the opportunities it will provide to current and future Tommies,” they added.  

Donors, construction personnel and St. Thomas staff pose for a group photo during a beam signing ceremony celebrating the completion of the structural stage of the building of the Schoenecker Center STEAM complex on south campus on Dec. 19, 2022, in St. Paul.

Some of the marquee spaces in Schoenecker Center are: 

  •  Blattner Robotics Lab 
  •  Dr. Bernice Folz Science and Engineering Collaboration Hub 
  •  Pierson M. and Florence B. Grieve Terrace 
  •  Iversen High Bay 
  •  John P. Monahan Gallery 
  •  Henry and Ruth Nachtsheim Chemistry Suite 
  •  Sarah Rose Instrumental Rehearsal Hall 

Learn more about philanthropic opportunities that are still available to help support the completion of the Schoenecker Center.

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