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Utica College Breaks Ground for New Academic Building
F. Eugene Romano Hall First Phase of Science, Technology Complex
Written By Christine Leogrande
Utica College held groundbreaking ceremonies May 13 for F. Eugene Romano Hall, which represents the first phase of a new science and technology complex.
Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu
Utica, NY (05/15/2006) - Utica College held groundbreaking ceremonies today (May 13) for F. Eugene Romano Hall, which represents the first phase of a new science and technology complex.Romano Hall will provide approximately 23,000 square feet of classroom, laboratory, and clinical space as well as modern technology for students studying physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, therapeutic recreation, health studies and psychology-child life.
College President Todd S. Hutton said, “Mr. Romano’s generosity has touched many areas of the community, most notably higher education. As the largest private donor in the history of Utica College, Gene’s nearly $5 million in lifetime gifts has had a significant effect on UC’s academic and social environments. For this reason, we are pleased to have his name perpetuated throughout our campus.”
Romano, chairman and founder of Pacemaker-Millar Industrial Supply Co, is an emeritus member of the UC Foundation Board, and past recipient of an honorary doctor of laws degree.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, an honorary doctor of humane letters degree was conferred upon Albert Shaheen, M.D., who was a member of one of UC’s first classes, and a 1949 graduate of the college. He and his former colleague, Esat Toksu, were the first plastic surgeons in Utica.
A longtime supporter of the college, Shaheen and his wife established the Dr. Albert H. ’49 and Gloria A. ’82 Shaheen Scholarship fund, made generous donations to the unrestricted annual fund, the Crisafulli Fund for the Advancement of Teaching, the UC Biology Challenge, and the construction of Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. A former member of the Utica College Foundation Board, Shaheen has been honored with an Alumni of Achievement Award from the college’s National Alumni Council.
U.S. Representative Sherwood L. Boehlert, (R-24) a member of the Utica College class of 1961, spoke at the groundbreaking. Boehlert, longtime chairman of the House Science Committee, has been a strong supporter of Utica College, particularly in science initiatives.
Several graduates of UC’s health sciences programs also spoke at the ceremony, including Marc DePerno, occupational therapist and member of the UC class of 2000; David Schilling, physical therapist and member of the UC class of 1999; and Mary Lourdes Lounsbury, registered nurse and member of the UC class of 1986.
Construction of Romano Hall is expected to cost approximately $7 million, and to be completed sometime next summer. Future building projects related to the science and technology complex will provide modern facilities and resources for programs in the traditional sciences and economic crime.
About Utica College – Founded in 1946, Utica College is a comprehensive private institution that grants the Syracuse University baccalaureate degree and the Utica College master’s and doctoral degrees. The College, located in central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls an approximated 2,300 undergraduate and 350 graduate students in 31 undergraduate majors, 24 minors, 12 master’s and two doctoral degree programs.
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