Governor helps celebrate opening of URI science building

Leaders at the University of Rhode Island recently celebrated the grand opening of the $68 million Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences.

The new structure houses the chemistry department. It is the federal center of excellence in explosives research, helping 7,000 students study chemistry every year.

“Fostering research, innovation, and discovery is critical to Rhode Island’s future as a center of advanced industries,” Gov. Gina Raimondo said. “This facility, along with other recent projects, positions the university to attract businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors to our state and grow our economy. I want to commend the university and its leadership for delivering yet another spectacular facility that will provide longstanding benefits to its students and Rhode Island as a whole. This is a proud day for our state.”

The ribbon-cutting also honored Richard Beaupre, the namesake of the building and a URI alumnus. His significant donation of almost $4 million supported the new facility’s construction. Other donations included a $61 million bond from Rhode Island voters during the 2010 election.

The new building is 134,623 square feet. During the spring and summer, staff and faculty started to move into the building. On Sept. 7, the first students went to class in the building.