Inside Parmer Hall: The Academic Impact - Dominican University

Dear Alumnae/i and Special Friends:
Over the last two years, as part of every
campus tour, in multiple magazines and
newsletters, you have experienced the
birth of Parmer Hall—from design, through
construction, to dedication. It is an extraordinary building, steeped
in tradition and yet state-of-the-art. Now it is my privilege to take
you inside Parmer, to show you what makes this building so much
more than just a pretty face.
Speaking of faces—yes, that is me dressed as Mother Emily Power,
OP for the 2007 Founders’ Day Town Square. In just its first few
months, Parmer Hall has hosted a number of such memorable
events! The Shaffer Silveri Atrium is the ideal venue for university
gatherings—often after a program in Bluhm Lecture Hall, with
the crowd spilling out into Founders’ Court in good weather. I
encourage you to flip to page 18 for some terrific pictures of
the Parmer Hall and Founders’ Court dedication ceremonies.
We have only begun to realize the impact of Parmer Hall on
the academic programs of the university—the sciences,
psychology and education, in particular. The quality of
the teaching space is outstanding, with instructional
amenities a plenty. Students’ learning benefits as
faculty utilize research spaces and incorporate
observation and assistive-technology labs into already
rigorous curricula. The new major in neuroscience is
just one example of the power of Parmer.
Ultimately, it is all about student learning—and so
is this magazine. You can read about our Brechtel
Scholars on page six to get a sense of the ability
and interests of today’s science students. While
more students are entering Dominican intending to
study the sciences, others join us after graduation
for a concentrated pre-med curriculum. That postbaccalaureate
program is profiled on page 14.
Parmer Hall provides more than just excellent
classrooms and programs, however. When a
student seeks academic support or wants help with
a résumé or needs a comfortable place to sit and
talk with friends, Parmer Hall is the destination of
choice. Student commons areas near faculty offices
encourage collaborative study. There are meeting
rooms for student organizations, gallery spaces
for student shows—and lots of computers.
That said, Parmer Hall exists, and students benefit, because
of the extraordinary generosity of alumnae/i and friends of
Dominican University. Please know how much I appreciate
your support. As we approach the homestretch of the Amazing
Possibilities campaign, I am delighted to announce the naming
of the Jay W. and Doris K. Christopher Nutrition Sciences
Center. (See page 12.) We are deeply grateful to the
ON ThE COvEr
Christophers for their confidence and friendship.
How blessed we are—and how privileged I am to be
your president. Happy spring.
Sincerely,
Donna M. Carroll
President
President Carroll and
Sr. Joan O’Shea, OP
presented a history
of the university’s
presidents as part of
autumn’s Founders’
Day celebration in
Parmer hall; here she
is dressed as Mother
Emily Power, OP.
Top: John C. and Carolyn J. Parmer hall glows with
activity during the evening
Bottom Left: Students study the skeletal system in a biology class
held in one of Parmer hall’s new laboratories
Bottom Center: Sr. Mary Woods, OP and richard Calabrese, faculty marshal,
participate in the Parmer hall dedication ceremony
Bottom right: Class activity centers around a state-of-the-art ventilation
system in one of Parmer hall’s chemistry laboratories