(St. George, UT) - Dixie State College of Utah officially broke ground at the site of the campus’ new Edward H. and Idonna E. Snow Science Center during a special ceremony held Friday afternoon. Nearly 200 people attended the event, including Dr. Edward H. Snow and members of the Snow family, along with civic leaders and DSC students, faculty and staff. In addition, representatives from Westland Construction, Utah State Department of Facilities and Construction Management, and benefactors and friends of DSC were in attendance.

Dr. Snow, who along with his wife Idonna are Dixie College alums, told those in attendance how the sciences and technology have become more important in the world and that more of today’s students should be encouraged to pursue their education in those fields. He added that the United States can regain its competitive edge in the world if students become reacquainted with the sciences.

“I met my wife in chemistry class, some of the most important things in my life happened there. Things must have worked out OK,” Dr. Snow said. “We need to encourage everyone to learn science. Science can be fun. I’m hoping this facility can encourage students to take some science classes, even if they are not majoring in science.”

DSC President Dr. Stephen D. Nadauld lauded the many accomplishments and contributions Dr. Snow made during his storied science career, which largely led to the today’s digital revolution. President Nadauld also paid tribute to the Snow family, in particular their ancestors who helped found the institution a century ago.

“We are so fortunate that we have this great and wonderful Snow family to help [DSC] with this,” President Nadauld said.

The new Edward H. and Idonna E. Snow Science Building will tie into the already existing Val A. Browning Library building. When completed, two-story Snow Science Building will feature 10,000 square feet of science labs for DSC’s physical sciences department. The upper floor will include an organic chemistry lab, general chemistry lab and a chemical stockroom and storage room. The upper floor will also have access from the parking lot to the north with a tall clearstory entry and small study area. The lower floor will include a chemistry analytical lab, chemistry instrument lab, stock room, weighing room, oven room, geology lab and a geology storage room. The lower floor will tie into the main level as accessed from the south.

“It is a great time to be part of a generation that is going to make difference and this [facility] will influence students’ lives and society as a whole,” said Dr. Victor Hasfurther, DSC Dean of Science and Technology. “This building will open up an opportunity [for DSC] to have degrees in science and chemistry hopefully in the next two years.”

All the current holdings inside the Browning Library will be relocated to the new Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons Building (HCC) on the DSC campus over the summer. Once that move is completed, renovation of the existing library will begin to transform the building into mathematics and physical science faculty offices and general-use classrooms for both departments.

DSC officials note that the completion of the HCC will also lead to even more campus additions and relocation projects in the coming months and years.