Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building opens at SFA before a large crowd - KTRE.com | Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Texas

Several hundred supporters of Stephen F Austin State University took part in the opening of the Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building.

The $46.4 million building marks a commitment not to just SFA, but to all of East Texas. The iconic building is a response to a national call for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) reform.

Before a person steps inside the Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building it 'speaks' science, noted Dr. Kim Childs, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics.

Inside, the high-tech environment shouts learning. Over several hundred toured the building, an initiative that was years in the making according to Childs.

"Today, we stand in this amazing building. This building is an investment in our future," said Childs before a large crowd.

The future is in the eyes of Ed Cole and was for his late wife Gwen, too. Several buildings and numerous scholarships bear the Coles' name, making the couple the leading donors in all of SFA's history.  It's only fitting the STEM building dedication came on the Mr. Cole's 96th birthday, a perfect time to remember his wife fondly.  

"I told Gwen one time, several times," began Cole. "I said, 'You stick with me and I'll put you on Broadway." 

 Cole continued, "And this STEM building is a better deal than Broadway."

His apparent emotions were overpowered by applause.

The atrium, housing a 52-foot domed planetarium, is named in honor of the late regent Barry Nelson, former chair of the Building and Grounds committee. He was devoted to creating a learning environment. 

Maker spaces provide a space for students to create and show off inventions.  Student Ryan Logan said he was playing in a sand box, but a projection of vibrant colors impressed the spectators. 

"So it's showing the topography line. This is actually a pond over here, so we're just going to fill all that in and watch how the water flows," demonstrated Logan.

SFA President Baker Pattillo commended local legislators for persevering through several legislative session to secure funding. Finally, in 2016, $46.4 million in tuition revenue bond funding was approved.  Pattillo will now hold up his end of the bargain.

"We have to improve STEM. We are committed. We will put a program in place that will be second to none," assured Pattillo.

It all starts just in time for the fall semester.

A digital media center, computer and research labs will be used in the coming weeks by incoming students. The SFA STEM initiative is just beginning.
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