For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — The ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for the new Everett Roehl Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Center at UW-Marshfield/Wood County will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12. The ribbon cutting will take place outside the STEM Center at 5 p.m., and refreshments and tours of the new building and of the refurbished Aldo Leopold Science building will be available immediately after the ceremony.

In the event of rain, all activities will be held in the STEM Center Commons. Members of the public are invited to attend. Parking is available in the Helen Connor Laird Fine Arts Building lot.

The event will include brief remarks by the following speakers:

—Keith Montgomery, regional executive officer and dean, UW Colleges North.

—Ray Cross, president, UW System.

—Cathy Sandeen, chancellor, UW Colleges and UW-Extension.

—Donna Rozar, president of the UW-Marshfield/Wood County Foundation and member of the Wood County Board of Supervisors.

—A representative from Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s office.

Construction on the 17,000 square foot STEM Center and renovation of the existing science building began last September. The new building houses chemistry and microbiology facilities, the certified nursing assistant program, and a community room. Changes to the Aldo Leopold Science building include the addition of a distance education classroom, an engineering lab, renovation of the geography/geology and biology areas, and relocation of the math department and classrooms.

The $5.7 million project was funded through a combination of public and private support. Wood County and the city of Marshfield, owners of the land and buildings on the UW-Marshfield/Wood County campus, each contributed $1 million. Remaining funding came from private donations as part of an 18-month capital campaign led by the UW-Marshfield/Wood County Foundation. In addition, the state allocated $1.5 million for movable equipment and furnishings.

“As we all know, careers in science, technology, engineering, and math are in demand and will be for years to come,” said Montgomery. “This new state-of-the-art facility will ensure our students will develop the knowledge and skills to be successful in a growing number of STEM-related professions.”

Bray Architects, Madison, designed the STEM Center, and Miron Construction, Neenah, managed construction of the new building.