Homecoming 2016: New ISC Building Edition

by Beth Chambers | October 29, 2016

Returning alumni had great weather to celebrate their Homecoming in 2016, and were welcomed to the newest edition of the Integrated Science Center. The first year after the closing of Millington Hall, BIology held two events in the new building. Alumnus Doug Soltis '75 spoke in the the new ISC auditorium, in our tradition of having alumni give the Department Seminar the week before Homecoming. Doug is a Distinguished Professor at the Unitversity of Florida, and spoke passionately about biological research and the "Moon Shot" project publishing the first draft of the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is an evolutionary tree showing relationships of 2.3 million species known on Earth.

On Saturday, the department joined the Applied Sciences, Chemistry, and Psychology departments (and the Neuroscience Program) in hosting an Open House of the new Integrated Science Center wing (ISC3). The new addition covers as much area as the other two wings combined, and includes a bright Atrium and outdoor patio. Several alumni wished they would have had such a beautiful space, while others reminisced about the joys and troubles of old Millington.

Highlights included the "BioMakerSpace", a laboratory outfitted for work with molecular DNA technology, a new research-friendly greenhouse, a 3-D printer display by students in Dr. Laurie Sanderson's lab, and Dr. Jon Allen's aquaria display ("A kid magnet", explained Dr. Paul Heideman).

To top it all off, "William & Mary rallies to first CAA win, 24-17 over Delaware" was the headline after the Homecoming game!