The 23,000-square-foot David E. Reemsnyder Research Center was officially dedicated in the spring of 2010, making it the second debt-free construction on the campus after the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. (Miller, page 110)
David E. Reemsnyder (Class of 1930), student, coach, faculty, and athletic director, taught here from 1935-1973. He coached 5 varsity sports, was Intramural Director for 32 years, and was the Director of Athletics from 1958-1972.
After graduation, David Reemsnyder earned an M.A. at Ohio State University and did further graduate work at the University of Illinois. He taught at a high school in Raleigh County, WV before returning to teach at West Virginia Wesleyan. One of his students there was a young man by the name of Robert C. Byrd. Senator Byrd was able to help secure federal funding for the Reemsnyder Research Center, and was pleased to be able to help his former teacher in this way.
Reemsnyder’s office on campus was in the Old Gymnasium, and inside the footprint of the Research Center bearing his name.
(2007) The $8 million, 23,000 square gross foot David E. Reemsnyder Science Addition will allow Wesleyan to strengthen its highly reputable science, mathamatics, and psychology departments. The construction will connect the addition to the College’s Christopher Hall of Science and will serve the biology, chemistry, computer science environmental science, mathematiccs, physics/engineering, and psychology programs. ~ The addition is named for the late David E. Reemsnyder ’30, Hon ’72 who taught junior high science and mathematics before enjoying a distinguished career as a coach, faculty member, and administrator at Wesleyan. Reemsnyder had a profound impact as a young teacher on U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, who in turn secured over $6 million in federal grants for the project. ~ The new facility will house classrooms, research labs, and inimal care facility, aviary observation, and faculty offices. Arctecon of Wexford, PA has been selected as the architectural firm for the addition and the project is expected to be completed during the 2009-2010 academic year. ~ Wesleyan’s science programs enjoy a 100 percent placement rate amomg medical and graduate schools. Among West Virginia colleges and universities, Wesleyan is only behind West Virginia University in sending students to WVU’s School of Medicine from 2002-2006. The College has the third highest total at Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine during that same period. Wesleyan’s physics and engineering students have also enjoyed outstanding graduate placement rates, achieving a 100 percent rate for 19 consecutive years. ~ “This addition will help provide the opportunity for Wesleyan to become a leading science undergraduate research college in the region,” said Dr. Jeanne Sullivan, chair of the biology department and leader of the building planning project. “It will also help the Ccollege attract and retain high quality faculty that will enhance teaching, learning, and research.” [Excerpt from Realizing a Dream…Building on Strength in the Sundial Fall/Winter 2007, p.3]
(2008) Groundbreaking Ceremony Program, May 2, 2008
(2008) Groundbreaking Ceremony Invocation by Ron McCauley (Class of 1959)
(2009) Photo of Reemsnyder construction has the following caption: Construction for the $8 million David E. Reemsnyder Research Center continues on schedule. The Center is expected to open during the 2009-2010 academic year. The Institutional Advancement Office is working on securing $1.5 million to complete the construction funding. [Sundial 2009 Winter, p.7]
[2010] Reemsnyder Annex Nears Opening, by Mike Bush. [Pharos 2010-02-26, p.1]
[2010] Photograph of the David E. Reemsnyder Research Center by Daniel Trader. The caption reads: The new David E. Reemsnyder Research Center addition to Christopher Hall of Science officially opened last Friday, April 9 with an open house and reception following the grand opening ceremony. The new addition is named for the late David E. Reemsnyder who was a junior high science and math teacher before becoming a coach, faculty member, and administrator at Wesleyan. [Pharos 2010-04-16, p.3]
[2010] Reemsnyder Research Center Opens, by Rachelle Collins. [Pharos 2010-05-04, p.4]
Donors are listed on a plaque in the lobby.
Platinum ($100,000 Plus) 3 Families which included 5 alumni and 2 Honorary Doctorate recipients – And the Daywood Foundation
Gold ($50,000 to $99,999) 3 Families which include 3 alumni and one Honorary Doctorate recipient – The Honorable Mike Ross, and the Estate of Thelma Weber
Silver ($25,000 to $49,999) 6 Families, which include 6 alumni and one Honorary Degree Recipient – and the Independent Oil and Gas Association of WV
Cornerstone ($10,000 to $24999) 13 Families which include 14 alumni and one Honorary Degree Recipient – and The Alexander Osborn Trust, Chesapeake Energy, and a gift from the West Virginia Wesleyan Emeritus Club (many more alumni)
Foundation($5,000 to $9,999) 18 Families which include 23 alumni and 3 Honorary Degree Recipients – And Allegheny Energy