$11 Million Gift Will Transform Undergraduate Science at Warren Wilson College

Warren Wilson College has received an $11 million gift from anonymous donors—the largest gift in the College’s history—to transform its science facilities and expand opportunities for undergraduate research in climate, ecological, environmental, and health sciences.

The gift launches Advancing Science in Action for the Common Good, a comprehensive initiative to renovate and re-equip the College’s science facilities, add advanced scientific instrumentation and digital learning spaces, and establish an endowed fund for future equipment needs. The investment will strengthen Warren Wilson’s distinctive model of hands-on, problem-focused, interdisciplinary science education, giving undergraduates access to independent research experiences and scientific tools typically reserved for graduate-level study.

Approximately 350 students—nearly half the student body—major or plan to major in STEM disciplines, including Environmental Sciences, Conservation Biology, and the College’s new Animal Sciences program. The College’s Health Sciences program, which is in development, and Master’s in Applied Climate Studies program will benefit as well.

“This gift underscores and amplifies our distinctive excellence in the sciences and science-aligned fields,” said Damián J. Fernández, President. “The generosity of our donors will allow us to deepen our commitment to the sciences, finalize our new Health Sciences program, and attract talented students committed to the common good.”

Project Scope

The initiative will include:

• Flexible teaching and research laboratories designed for team-based investigation, with modern ventilation and adjacent collaboration space.
• New scientific instrumentation supporting research ranging from carbon sequestration and soil health to genetics, animal science, and human health.
• Anatomy and physiology laboratories supporting the new Health Sciences program.
• A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) laboratory and digital learning spaces incorporating virtual reality and simulation.
• Upgrades to the greenhouse complex and Forestry facilities at the Center for Working Lands.
• An endowed equipment fund supporting future scientific instrumentation and technology.

The project will renovate three existing buildings rather than construct a new science center, allowing the College to strengthen its scientific infrastructure while minimizing new construction. Because laboratories are among the most energy-intensive spaces on a college campus, the project will also prioritize high standards for energy performance and reduced operating costs.

The investment builds on Warren Wilson’s model of learning science by doing science. Students work alongside faculty on research connected to the natural world and gain experience with the tools, technologies and methods used by professional scientists—often opportunities typically reserved for graduate students.

“This gift gives us an extraordinary opportunity to rethink what undergraduate science can look like,” Fernández said. “We want our students to leave Warren Wilson not only knowing how science works, but knowing how to use science to make the world work better.”

Science Task Force

A Task Force of faculty and staff, co-led by Professor of Chemistry Langdon Martin and Executive Director of Operations and Facilities Ian Smith, begins work this month on assessing needs and opportunities. Members are:

Members are:

• Alisa Hove, Professor of Biology
• Mark Benavides, Chemistry Lab Manager
• Jill Arnold, Manager, Biology and Environmental Studies Departments
• Kim Borges, Professor of Biochemistry
• Julia Haverstock, Director of Pew Learning Center & Ellison Library
• David Gliem, Special Assistant to the President for Grants and Innovation (ex officio)
• Brian Norman, Provost (ex officio)

A wider consulting group will draw in colleagues from across the College as the work requires.

The Task Force will survey buildings, laboratories, storage, equipment, and underused spaces, including areas of the library, and deliver a report this Fall. Their work will include a review of science facilities and digital learning spaces at other institutions with attention to serving all learners, including neurocomplex learners. In the Spring, the Task Force will select an architecture firm with laboratory design experience, completing a project charter setting the vision, scope, goals, and design principles by the summer. Design and construction will begin next summer.