Office of Development

Flower Hall groundbreaking draws crowd

Next fall, students in the School of Science and Engineering will have access to a $7.4 million research facility that will also be a centerpiece for the region 

October 7, 2011

Michael Ramos
mcramos@tulane.edu

Science and Engineering dean Nicholas Altiero stood before a crowd of Tulane alumni and supporters recently to celebrate the groundbreaking of Donna and Paul Flower Hall for Research and Innovation.

“This modern, laboratory-rich facility will be a major factor in attracting more world-class scholars to Tulane and in impacting the region’s economy through breakthrough scientific and technological innovations,” said Altiero.

Flower Hall replaces Francis Taylor Laboratory, which was built in 1949 and is unsuitable for contemporary research. The four-story, 24,000-square-foot facility will house 15 research laboratories and offices for faculty, graduate and undergraduate students. 

A top-flight research institution is closely connected to the economic well-being of its surrounding community, said Paul Flower (E ’75) and his wife, Donna. Flower is president of Woodward Design+Build, the company contracted to construct the new building, scheduled to open in fall 2012. 

Flower Hall is not just another campus building, but also a catalyst for economic development across the region, said Tulane President Scott Cowen.

In addition to the Flowers’ generosity, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) gave the school $1.2 million for the project. The late Dr. Irwin Frankel (E ’42) also contributed a large sum. Frankel died in 2010 at age 90 and left a major unrestricted gift to the school in his will. According to Altiero, his generosity is responsible for the critical addition of two floors of laboratory space to the building.

To support Flower Hall and view its progress on a live web cam, click HERE.

Michael Ramos is a senior writer in the Office of Development.