Battelle Gives $2.5 Million to Help Fund New Science Building at Ohio Dominican University

November 10, 2006

COLUMBUS, OH -- Battelle is donating $2.5 million to support Ohio Dominican University’s construction of a new science building and to boost the school’s teacher preparation programs.

The gift is the lead donation for the project and includes $2 million for the new building and $500,000 to be targeted for teacher preparation. The donation will be administered through the Battelle Fund at the Columbus Foundation. Per the terms of the gift, Battelle will have naming rights for the new facility.

“This is an extraordinary gift for Ohio Dominican University. It is the largest gift in the University’s history. But even more important, it represents recognition by Battelle of Ohio Dominican’s strength in teacher education in general and science education in specific. We are honored to receive this support from Battelle and to partner with this wonderful organization to advance the quality of teacher preparation in America,” said Ohio Dominican University President Jack P. Calareso. “Battelle believes, and I agree, that this presents a great opportunity not only for Ohio Dominican, but for other small colleges to benefit from the facility and program growth made possible through this gift.”

The donation is the latest addition to Battelle’s growing education signature that includes its funding and support for Metro High School and the establishment of the Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy at Ohio State’s John Glenn School of Public Affairs, among other things.

“We are committed to improving educational practices at all levels, especially in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields,” said Battelle President and CEO Carl Kohrt. “This gift will do that through improved facilities and programs that will aid not just science students, but students who are studying to become our next generation of science teachers. Improved teacher education is at the center of any plan for improving STEM education and increasing the number of students pursuing STEM careers.”

Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle, with the national labs it manages or co-manages, oversees 20,000 staff members and conducts $3.4 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations have included the development of the office copier machine (Xerox); pioneering work on compact disc technology; fiber optics for telecommunications; development of new medical products to fight diabetes, cancer and heart disease; breakthroughs in environmental waste treatment; homeland security technologies; and advancements in transportation safety and security.