SRU’s Strain Safety Building to be officially ‘reopened’ Sept. 27
Sept. 24, 2019
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Although classes resumed at Slippery Rock University's Strain Safety Building in February, the recently renovated facility will be officially "reopened" at a special ceremony, 11 a.m., Sept. 27, at the MSA Construction Lab, Room 113-113A SSB. The event is free and open to the public.
SRU President William Behre and the University's council of trustees will host the reopening ceremony by recognizing donors for their contributions to the SRU safety management program and building renovations. Among those to be recognized are MSA, FirstEnergy, Miller/Honeywell, Fire Fighter, 70E Solutions and Kokosing.
The ceremony will bring a celebratory "closing" to the SSB's $7.5-million renovation that began in 2017. Improvements and updates include new air conditioning, windows, restrooms, faculty offices, student study spaces, ROTC student lounge, student art gallery, construction/general industry safety labs, improved industrial hygiene and emergency preparedness/fire safety labs and updated classrooms. Additional external work, including the replacement of mortar joints, was completed during the summer to avoid disturbing classes.
“This ceremony means a lot to our department and all our safety management majors because it gives us a chance to celebrate the completion of the renovation project. It also give us a chance to let the University and the donors know how much we appreciate them for supporting the project,” said Joseph Cali, professor of safety management and department chair. “The upgrades will help give our students hands-on experience by using equipment that they will be using in the workplace, as well as other applied learning opportunities."
Built in 1938 at a cost of $222,000, SSB was first known as Science Hall and housed the Physical and Chemical Science Departments. In 1979, when it was then known as the Behavioral Science Building, the facility was renamed in honor of Warren Strain, the former chair of the Geography Department. In 2017, the building was renamed Strain Safety Building to reflect it housing the SRU's Safety Management Department and academic programs.
The Safety Management Department offers students a hands-on, practical and applied bachelor of science degree in safety management that is designed to develop their competencies for jobs in safety programs in educational, governmental, private business and industrial enterprises. Safety laboratory courses housed in SSB follow the recommendation of both the National Science Teachers Association and Laboratory Safety Institute.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu