|
 (Reprinted from Marian Matters, Fall 1999)
Science Lab Initiative Chair Dr. Mark Talamonti '74 made reference to hundreds of contributors on Tuesday, October 19, 1999 at the official dedication of Marian Catholic High School's new Master Science Laboratory.
However, the diverse contributions of finance and hard work of many will add up to one common goal: sending Marian students into the next millennium with state-of-the-art technological resources for science education.
|
|
The new Master Science Lab will offer students greater use of physical space and technology, as Marian incorporates greater use of the Internet into the science curriculum.
"So many sacrificed and showed great dedication to make this event possible," praised Sr. Katherine O'Connor, O.P., corporate liaison for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. "The partnership of so many people with Marian Catholic makes this wonderful high school the Dominican place that it is."
Faculty and students displayed tremendous patience as the finishing touches were placed on the lab at the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year. For those in attendance Oct. 19, the wait was well worth it.
"Look at it— it's great," said Talamonti, Associate Professor of Surgery at Northwestern University School of Medicine. "I want to congratulate so many people for doing a great job. A lot of people found a way to give of themselves.
"Many people gave their time and finances because there have been a lot of people touched by time at Marian Catholic. But there were also people like the Tony Pasquinelli family (Pasquinelli Construction in Homewood) that don't have children at Marian. They just valued Marian as a solid anchor in the community.
"I also want to thank the leadership people— Sr. Mary Paul and others that have displayed incredible skills. Finally, you have to credit the science faculty for their 'build it and they will come' attitude. They envisioned something that will revitalize students."
Marian President/Principal Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey blessed the new laboratory and reaped praise on the many that contributed toward its completion.
"You are all making quality for the young people of this school," Sr. Paul said. "We always say to the kids, '...if there's going to be someone to find a cure for cancer, if not you, who?' Now we can say that and have the resources to get it done. The bar has clearly been raised here."
In addition to the Master Science Lab, Marian Catholic will also soon be home to a new Dominican Greenhouse. As well as several computer advances, labs have been drastically improved to better educate in the areas of anatomy, physics, biology and earth sciences.
"I remember the days when we thought it was great to get a filmstrip or calculator into a classroom," Science Department Chair Vince Zerante explained. "Now, we can teach students in ways we never could've accomplished without this. "This far surpasses our visions. Marian Catholic never does anything that is just at the minimum."
|
|
