Southwestern Magazine | Fall 2019

The overall effect is a classroom that embraces group learning and inquiry. Even the chairs are thoughtfully designed, with space for students’ backpacks. “The minute you walk in the classroom, you know something is different. You can feel that something is going to happen here,” Niemeyer says. “We now have a physical space that supports the kind of pedagogy we’ve been practicing.” Indeed, the Fondren–Jones Science Center represents the University’s commitment in stone to Paideia. It was intentionally designed to foster increased collaboration among faculty and students and to provide more opportunities for inquiry-based, multidisciplinary learning and meaningful educational experiences. “I often refer to this project as the house that pedagogy built,” President Burger said at the Final Beam Ceremony on August 30, 2018, “because that really, in fact, is the case.” A commitment to research By supporting high-impact experiences for Garey Scholars, the Garey gift provides these students with valuable opportunities they may otherwise not have had. These experiences, which include study abroad, internships, community-engaged learning, and faculty-mentored research, allow students to apply their learning in real-world situations and develop skills that will prepare them for success in today’s workforce. Collaborative research is particularly important for students in the natural sciences. “The literature shows that research helps students identify as scientists and become more engaged and successful in their area,” Niemeyer says. “It also shows that students who participate in research are more likely to persist in the sciences.” The Fondren–Jones Science Center gives students access to state-of-the-art research tools and facilities, including a cell-culture laboratory, an imaging center, instrumentation rooms, and a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscope. The shared research laboratories allow for more interaction between faculty and students and provide a better research experience for students. “There’s space to conduct experiments in the center of the lab and planning and interactive space around the outside of the room,” Niemeyer says. “This is completely different from the rows of benches in a traditional-looking lab. Students can wheel around to one another and work in groups. It all works perfectly. It’s really amazing.” Many of the laboratories and classrooms feature a lot of windows, allowing passersby to peek inside and see what students are doing. This reinforces the collaborative nature of the building. “I’m forced to use the computer lab most of the time,” says Schrum, who is currently teaching Computer Science II and Programming Languages, “but now I’m surrounded by windows. I joke that the beautiful view could detract from people’s ability to pay attention.” It’s not just students who benefit from Southwestern’s commit- ment to research. The midcycle sabbaticals supported by the Garey gift will provide more time for faculty members to advance their research and scholarship and further their long-term profes- sional growth. “Typically, faculty can apply for a sabbatical every seven years and use this time to pursue activities beyond the classroom such as research and writing,” says Erwin. “These midcycle sabbaticals further support the teacher–scholar model that Southwestern is so invested in.” In addition to pursuing their own individual research, faculty often spend their sabbaticals helping students get their research published. Publishing a research article, especially when listed as the first author, is a big achievement for students that can help them stand out from their peers. 31 SOUTHWESTERN Southwestern students can now study, collaborate, and socialize in the bright and airy Cullen Foundation Atrium in the Fondren–Jones Science Center.