Chapman University’s continuing growth in the sciences has been given a $1 million boost from the W.M. Keck Foundation. The Foundation awarded Chapman the Undergraduate Education Grant, which will provide funding to purchase new, cutting-edge instrumentation to be used to transform chemistry undergraduate teaching, learning and research at the University.

“We are thrilled the Keck Foundation awarded this grant to Chapman,” said Janeen Hill, dean of the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and also the principle investigator on the grant. “The Keck Foundation’s commitment to advancing science in Orange County through Chapman University’s chemistry program will yield future scientists better equipped for grad school and employment in industries in emerging fields of analytics, forecasting, biochemistry and bio-informatics,” Hill continued.

The $1 million grant awarded over four years will name the W.M. Keck Foundation Chemistry Laboratory Suite and the purchase of high-end software and instrumentation for undergraduate organic, biochemistry, and physical chemistry laboratories within Chapman’s new Center for Science and Technology. This 140,000 square foot building is slated to open for the 2018-2019 academic year. The instrumentation will be selected by existing chemistry faculty in accordance with the American Chemical Society guidelines for program accreditation.

“Chapman has devoted significant attention to science and technology in recent years and this grant will help support the growth in Schmid faculty and students combined with our commitment to the highest standards of 21st Century science education, interdisciplinary problem-solving research opportunities, new technologies, and forward-thinking curriculum,” said Chancellor Daniele Struppa.

This gift follows in the steps of other major announcements from Chapman in the past year dedicated to growth in science. In addition to raising funds to build the new Center for Science and Technology, Chapman has announced several new developments in health science programs including purchasing facilities in Irvine, as well as announcing the development of a new school of Pharmacy and a Physician’s Assistant Program – both of which are slated to begin admitting students in fall of 2015 and will be housed in the Irvine campus.

Since Chapman’s Schmid College of Science and Technology became a stand-alone college in 2008, it has grown to become the third largest undergraduate college on campus. Further, it has increased by 40% the number of new research-active faculty who embrace the teacher/scholar model by mentoring undergraduate students in research.

Chapman offers 11 undergraduate degree programs, eight graduate degree programs and one Ph.D. degree in both basic and applied sciences in both the Schmid College of Science and Technology and the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. The undergraduate programs include biochemistry and molecular biology, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, computer information systems, environmental science and policy, health sciences, math, physics, psychology, and software engineering. The graduate programs include food science, physical therapy, marriage & family therapy, and computational science, which has both an M.S. and Ph.D. degree program offering. The school also includes three Centers of Excellence in: Earth Systems Modeling and Observation; Computation, Algebra and Topology; and Complex and Hyper Complex Analysis.

For more information, including a rendering of the forthcoming Center for Science and Technology visit www.chapman.edu/scst.

About Chapman University

Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University provides a uniquely personalized and interdisciplinary educational experience to highly qualified students. Our programs encourage innovation, creativity and collaboration, and focus on developing global citizen-leaders who are distinctively prepared to improve their community and their world. For more information visit chapman.edu.

About the W.M. Keck Foundation

Based in Los Angeles, the W.M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 by the late W. M. Keck, founder of the Superior Oil Company. The Foundation’s grant making is focused primarily on pioneering efforts in the areas of medical research, science and engineering and undergraduate education. The Foundation also maintains a Southern California Grant Program that provides support for the Los Angeles community, with a special emphasis on children and youth. For more information, please visit www.wmkeck.org.