Jim Duff (center) cuts the ribbon on the Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation on Thursday (Nov. 7) at the University of Mississippi. He is accompanied by university, construction company and IHL officials, as well as his brother, Thomas Duff (third from left). Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Doors open on ‘crown jewel’ of university’s STEM research, education
University of Mississippi officials cut the ribbon on the university’s largest academic building ever Thursday (Nov. 7) after completing construction on the 202,000 square-foot building earlier this fall.
The Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation includes four floors of laboratories, lecture halls and offices dedicated to supporting students in science, technology, engineering and math-related endeavors. The building – and the opportunities it provides students – is the crown jewel of the university research district, Chancellor Glenn Boyce said.
“This center embodies the shared commitment of forward-thinking leaders who recognize the profound impact of investing in STEM education,” he said. “With today’s ribbon cutting, we’re celebrating a major milestone in the University of Mississippi’s history.”
Among those celebrating Thursday were U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and Jim and Thomas Duff, the building’s namesakes, along with construction company CEO William Yates and Ole Miss faculty, staff and supporters. Jim and Thomas Duff are brothers and co-owners of Duff Capital Investors who committed $26 million to building the new facility in 2020.
“This will be a world class building,” Thomas Duff said. “I’m so appreciative of the tens of thousands of students who will go through these corridors and learn and become the people that we need in the future.”
The building can accommodate up to 2,000 students in labs and classrooms and includes 50 technology-enabled active learning classrooms. It also includes more than 60 faculty offices, a 3D visualization lab – similar to a small IMAX theater – and a food service venue.
“There’s nothing I could say or articulate that would describe it any better than you can see if you look around with your own eyes,” said William Yates, president and CEO of Yates Cos. “This is the place where curiosity will be ignited. Minds will be challenged. Things will be discovered right here in the Duff Center.”
The STEM-focused building encourages smaller class sizes and promotes fields that run the gamut from chemistry, biology and physics to engineering and computer science.
Students began taking classes in the new facility in August and have been able to take advantage of its open atrium, communal spaces and laboratories.
“I see STEM education evolving to be more collaborative between students,” said Lydia Lytal, instructional assistant professor of biology. Lytal is working and teaching classes in the Duff Center.
“Our nonmajors biology courses have now integrated lecture and lab into one course. This shift in course design allows students to take in information, then immediately practice applying it through models, data collection and simple activities.
“The technologies in this space are an added bonus that ties the course design and the facility together to potentially create a wonderful and fun learning experience for our students at UM.”
A major emphasis of the building’s construction focused on using energy-recovery technology, which includes sensors for monitoring lab air quality, skylights, 36 filtering fume hoods and terra-cotta shading louvers that align with the sun’s position during each season to help keep the building at a consistent temperature.
“The Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation fills a vital role at our university and for our state,” Boyce said. “It reinforces our standing as a R1 research institution.
“It cements our position as a national leader in student-centered learning and STEM education, and it strengthens our capacity to serve the state of Mississippi. We’re thrilled to open it today.”
By Clara Turnage
