Penn State Brandywine unveils $13.5 million renovation, new awareness campaign

Penn State Brandywine wrapped up a $13.5 million Main Building renovation project on Tuesday, Sept. 17, with a ribbon cutting ceremony revealing its newest enhancements. The ceremony also celebrated the campus' "Hello Brandywine" campaign, which aims to highlight Penn State Brandywine's new academic and athletic programs, global programs, modernized facilities, state-of-the-art laboratories, outstanding internship opportunities and more.

More than 70 Delaware County Council members, local business owners, community members and University staff, faculty, alumni and students were in attendance for tours of the new facilities, refreshments and words from the campus' Interim Chancellor George W. Franz.

A member of the campus community for four decades, Franz promised attendees, "While Penn State has made headlines across the world, Penn State Brandywine has remained dedicated to its mission of providing affordable, quality education to students in the Philadelphia area and beyond."

The campus has enhanced its academic offerings with new bachelor's degree programs in biology, psychology and general engineering, and will kick off its inaugural women's softball season this spring.

Three new collaborative learning spaces have been created in the John D. Vairo Library and our renovated bookstore is now located in a beautiful new space in the Commons Building.

State-of-the-art science laboratories, high-tech classrooms and modern computer labs were added to the second and third floors of the three-story Main Building. These research laboratories are equipped with advanced tools, such as light microscopes and a DNA imaging system, which will be utilized for teaching and independent research. Students will now have the capability to visualize fluorescently labeled DNA molecules.

On the first floor of the Main Building, contemporary administrative offices along with faculty, staff and student lounge areas were also created to provide productive, safe and enjoyable work spaces.

"This is the beginning of a new era at Penn State Brandywine," Franz added. "I am personally looking forward to seeing what the future holds and I'm delighted to have you as guests at our campus during this exciting time."

Photo caption: An enthusiastic group of campus supporters cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially unveil the Main Building renovations and launch the campus' Hello Brandywine campaign. Pictured from left:
Randy White, The Bedwell Company; Lorraine Bradshaw, Middletown Township Council; Dave Matthews, Delaware County Council; Mario J. Civera Jr., Delaware County Council; Rosie Owoc, Penn State Brandywine SGA president; Maureen Fielding, Penn State Brandywine associate professor of English and women's studies; George W. Franz, Penn State Brandywine Interim Chancellor; Jerry Parsons, Penn State Brandywine Advisory Board President; Not pictured: Kurt Coduti, Penn State University project manager; Rep. Margo Davidson; Todd Woodward, SMP Architects; Colleen Morrone, Delaware County Council; Ken Matthews, CB Development Services, Inc.