     Chadron State College held dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremonies Wednesday for its $32-million expanded and remodeled Math Science Building, now the Math Science Center of Innovative Learning
     The dedication came almost exactly two years after groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the project that gutted the half-century old structure and added a new wing that more than doubled the space.Â
Chadron State President Dr Randy Rhine said the building was state-of-the-art when it opened but hadn’t kept up with technological advances or the growth in careers in STEM – science, technology, engineering, math. The COIL restores its status.
Rhine acted as MC for the ceremony with other speakers including a student, a faculty member, Nebraska State College System Chancellor Paul Turman, and Chadron State Foundation Board Chair John Smith.
All praised the partnership between the Legislature, Gov Pete Ricketts, the Trustees, Chadron State, the Foundation, and the businesses, organizations, and individuals who contributed to the project.
The funding package was predicated on the college and Foundation raising enough money to make the first year’s bond payments and Smith said donors did just that.
Smith said the Center of Innovative Learning represents the culmination of well over a decade of planning and lobbying by hundreds of dedicated people.
Smith said the COIL has given the college and the region a remarkable asset for the future+
Smith reminded the audience that the COIL project is part of a decade of more than $80-million dollars of new construction that includes the Coffee Pavilion, the Rangeland Center, Chicoine Center, Eagle Ridge housing, the renovated Elliott Field/Don Beebe Stadium, and the new track.