Swain Science Building gets 'topped out'

A "topping out"ceremony was held recently for the new Kenneth E. Swain Science Building that's under construction on campus. University officials, workers and retired Myrtle Beach pharmacist Kenneth E. Swain signed the final beam before it was lifted and secured into place. President David DeCenzo and Science Dean Michael Roberts were also present to sign the steel beam.

The 40-000-square-foot addition will be located next to the R. Cathcart Smith Science Center. It will house the University's health and science programs, 20 science labs and faculty office space.

The floor plan of Swain Hall was designed to encourage a climate of academic interchange, with health science classrooms and labs sharing the first floor with biology and chemistry areas. The physical structure also promotes a strong connection between teaching and research activities, according to Dean Roberts. On the second floor, for example, the genetics teaching lab is across the hall from the genetics research bases.

"It sends a message that at Coastal Carolina University there is no barrier, no gap between teaching and research," said Roberts. "Swain Hall demonstrates an integrated vision, with teaching, research and outreach meaningfully connected in one structure."