By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Canisius College announced the single largest donation in its 136 year history Monday.
Local business executive Carl Montante, his wife Carol Ann and their family are contributing $5.1 million for the planned interdisciplinary science center at Canisius. The college is purchasing the Blue Cross-Blue Shield building adjacent to the campus for the new center.
It will house the college's various science programs under one roof. Canisius President, Fr. Vincent Cooke, says the timing is just right for an expansion of the college's science program.
"We hope to develop programs that will produce graduates positioned to contribute to the emerging life sciences economy here in Western New York, particularly at the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus," Fr. Cooke said.
Carl Montante, founder and president of Uniland Development, sees his family's donation as an "investment." The 1964 Canisius graduate says it puts the college at the forefront when it comes to educating the next generation of scientists.
"The interdisciplinary science center is a very important piece in the mosaic that will have a profound effect on the entire college," Montante said. "It will allow the college to continue to attract the best and brightest."
Cooke said the total cost of the project is $45 million. Construction will begin as soon as the college gains access to the site sometime in late 2007.