The brand-new Richard and Janet Testa Science Center, as named on Saturday, October 25, 2003.

Assumption Board of Trustees Approves Name of New Science Center

October, 2003- The Assumption College Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Saturday, October 25, 2003 to name the new Science Building the Richard and Janet Testa Science Center. The Board's decision was announced later that evening by President Thomas R. Plough at the President's Council dinner held at Mechanics Hall. The College community was informed yesterday of the Board’s decision.

Richard Testa was a member of the Assumption College Class of 1959. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1962 and began his legal career with Gaston & Snow in Boston, where he represented Ken Olson and Digital Equipment Corp. during the first public offering of the company. In 1973 he co-founded Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, which eventually became one of the three largest law firms in Boston with the largest venture capital practice in the world.

Dick's association with Assumption spanned 50 years, beginning with his matriculation to Assumption Prep School in 1952. A member of Assumption's Board of Trustees from 1971-1996, Dick served as national chair of Assumption's last capital campaign, from 1991-1996, and was the Honorary Chair of the Centennial Campaign until his untimely death on December 3, 2002. He received the Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1984, was made an Honorary Trustee in 1994 and received an Honorary Degree from Assumption in 1996.

Dick first met his wife Janet in their kindergarten class in Marlboro, MA. They eventually became high school sweethearts and partners for life. Based on their leadership commitment to the science center project during the planning phase of the Centennial Campaign, the Board of Trustees voted with confidence in 2001 to proceed with the building and with the Campaign. Dick and Janet were blessed with five children (including JoAnne Testa Goglia '82 and Nancy Testa Doherty '86) and 14 grandchildren. Janet, her five children and their spouses were present at the President's Council dinner on Saturday.

The Richard and Janet Testa Science Center, which was completed in August 2003, is the most complex project the College has ever undertaken. The 63,000 square foot building houses the Department of Natural Sciences, composed of chemistry, biology, environmental science and physics on three full floors. A greenhouse with faculty/student research space is located on the roof. Over 5,000 sq. ft. of space is available for meetings, study and faculty/student interaction. Other highlights include a state-of-the-art multimedia lecture hall, technology-enhanced classrooms of various sizes, 17 teaching and research laboratories, two conference rooms and a spacious three-story atrium. The $18 million Science Center is the cornerstone of the College's $30 million Centennial Campaign. Last fall, the prestigious Kresge Foundation awarded Assumption an $800,000 challenge grant to assist with the final phase of the $11 million fund-raising effort for the building.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Congressman James P. McGovern participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the building on October 7, 2003. The formal dedication of the building will take place next spring.