Dominion gift supports new VIMS building
Dominion of Richmond has given VIMS a $50,000 gift to help equip a distance-learning classroom in VIMS' new research building, Andrews Hall, which is scheduled to open in spring 2007.
The Dominion Classroom will increase classroom space on the VIMS campus by more than 50 percent. The state-of-the-art facility will also feature equipment that allows instantaneous two-way video communications between instructors and off-campus students.
"This technology expands the scope of education at VIMS, and also benefits many other parts of the VIMS community," says VIMS Dean and Director John Wells. "It allows faculty to offer courses to students at William and Mary, the Eastern Shore lab, and at institutions such as ODU; facilitates interaction with K-12 science teachers and state agencies such as VMRC; and helps VIMS scientists collaborate and exchange data with research colleagues."
The VIMS School of Marine Science is the graduate school in marine science for the College of William and Mary. The school currently enrolls 111 students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees in fisheries science, marine biology, physical oceanography, and environmental and aquatic animal health.
Dominion, one of the nation's largest energy producers, has a long history of support for VIMS. In addition to their tradition of annual giving to the Institute, Dominion has helped fund a research laboratory at VIMS' Kauffman Aquaculture Center on the Rappahannock River. They have also helped sponsor VIMS' Marine Science Day and its annual Art Show and Auction.