Wick Science Building (1973)
By the early 1970s, the growth of the physical campus and academics slowed down. Much of the Baby Boomer generation was growing up and moving on. Yet there were still real campus needs, which included the expansion of the sciences.
Wick Science Building, 1970s
Need and Financing
Campus planners originally discussed a Brown Hall addition, which opened in 1960 to house the sciences. An idea was to close 8th Street South between 1st and 2nd Avenues South with the addition to Brown Hall. Instead, a new building was to be constructed in Parking Lot H to “supplement” Brown Hall.
The 1971 state legislature appropriated $6.6 million to construct and equip the new mathematics and science building, including an additional $75,000 for “site” work. The architects were Bissell, Belair, and Green.
Contractors and Construction
According to a September 2, 1971, press release, the contractors for the building were: Gunnar I. Johnson and Son (general contractor), $2.96 million, Gorham’s Construction of Mora (mechanical), $728,000, Cold Spring Electric (electrical), $697,443, McDowall Company (HVAC), $428,900, and Hauenstein and Burmeister (science equipment), $898,000. Construction began shortly in October 1971.
The Wick Science Building was constructed with concrete columns and a brick veneer with interior space totaling 150,000 square feet. A “moat” surrounded the building which resulted in a ground floor that could have windows. Also planned for the building was an auditorium and museum on the ground floor, a greenhouse, laboratories, and faculty offices. The building included an aquarium room, plant growth chambers, small student research laboratories, and a walk-in freezer to store biology specimens. The building was connected with Brown Hall by a two-story skyway across 8th Street South.
The Wick Science Building also had a 62-seat planetarium built inside and equipped with a Spitz 512C Space System. The building's roof housed an observatory containing seven stationary telescopes including a 12.5-inch reflector telescope - all costing $35,000.
Scheduled to open early 1973, the four-story building partially opened in the first summer session of 1973. Construction continued in summer 1973 while campus units moved in. The building was fully opened in time for fall 1973.
In April 1974, a two-day Energy and Society symposium marked the building’s official opening. The keynote symposium speaker was former Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, who served during the Kennedy and Johnson presidential administrations. A dedication ceremony took place during the symposium.
Construction, 1973
Name
The original name approved by the Minnesota State College board on May 9, 1972, was “Mathematics and Science Center.” On September 2, 2005, the Mathematics and Science Center was renamed and rededicated as the Robert H. Wick Science Building to honor retired faculty member and former St. Cloud State president Robert Wick. Wick served as president from 1965 to 1971.
Changes and Addition
In late 1991, the glass domed greenhouse which stood on top of the building's south auditorium was removed and a new one was built nearby. The 1987 state legislature appropriated $927,000 to "construct and relocate" the building's greenhouse. The greenhouse leaked water, was drafty, hard to heat, and could only accommodate potted plants. The auditorium below was often damaged by the leaks. The delay in starting was due to bids higher than the budget. The new greenhouse was built just west of the auditorium and attached to Wick Center’s south side.
In the spring of 2006, the Minnesota state legislature appropriated $14 million to “design, construct, furnish, and equip an addition to and renovation of the Wick Building for classrooms, science laboratories, and related offices…” Built just west of the Wick Science Building, the addition provided 35,000 square feet for new laboratories and classrooms. One reason cited for the need was the successful nursing program at St. Cloud State. Nursing students dramatically increased enrollment for entry-level biology and chemistry classes. Construction began in May 2007 and opened for use in time for the 2009 spring semester. A grand opening was held on January 30, 2009.
The blueprints for the Wick Science Building, as completed in 1973, are available on the University Archives’ Search portal.
Architect's drawing, 1971
Robert Wick, 1965-1971
Annex addition, July 2018
Wick Science Building, May 1977
Wick Science Building, 1970s