Defiance College to renovate science hall

11/2/2005

DEFIANCE - Defiance College officials yesterday announced a $1.6 million renovation of the school's main science building to create more classroom and laboratory space, including a forensic science lab.

Plans call for the complete renovation of the third floor of Tenzer Hall, which was built in 1917. A three-story addition will be built to connect Tenzer with the nearby Carma J. Rowe Science Hall, ultimately replacing a walkway there. Lounge areas will be on each floor.

In all, the project headed by general contractor Mel Lanzer Co. of Napoleon will create 10,000 square feet of space geared to science students. It will include a physics lab to replace one at Dana Hall.

"Tenzer Hall is the college's most historic building and has served us well, but like all science buildings of its age, it falls short of meeting the needs of today's students," President Gerald Wood said in a statement.

The science lab will contain equipment bought with funds from a previously awarded $250,000 federal grant. The facility will allow for training of students in ballistics, trace evidence analysis, arson investigations, analysis of explosive residues, blood serum analysis for drugs of abuse, and DNA analysis.

Forensic science, which was introduced at Defiance College in 1999, remains the fastest growing major on campus, officials said.