McAuley Girls + Science = Great Chemistry!

Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School welcomed to campus the Most Reverend Andrew P. Wypych, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Chicago, on Wednesday, August 29 as celebrant of The Mass of the Holy Spirit. Following the liturgy, guests, staff and students joined the Bishop as he blessed the new Chemistry Building.

In addition to students, faculty, and staff, special guests included alumnae, donors, members of the Board of Trustees, and Sisters of Mercy. The blessing ceremony included short speeches by Principal and Acting President, Claudia Woodruff, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Anne Edwards Cotter ‘73, and the Chair of the Natural and Health Sciences Department, Dr. Roz Iasillo.

“These labs stand as proof that the seemingly impossible is possible. Even in difficult economic times, we at McAuley continue to be blessed by and grateful for the support and generosity of our alumnae, parents, and friends,” Dr. Iasillo began. “It will be here within the walls of these labs that our young women will acquire the skills to be leaders in the fields of science, engineering, healthcare, research, and technology. Here their vision for helping and changing our world will be nurtured.”

Construction of the building began in April. The new state-of-the-art labs features energy efficient mechanical systems, rain water harvesting, natural ventilation, occupancy sensors on light fixtures, and many more advancements, registering it as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver project. LEED is the nation’s pre-eminent program for creating and operating high-performance, environmentally-friendly buildings. Its construction is a large step in Mother McAuley’s mission to teach students to uphold eco-friendly and socially conscious lives, as well as provide a safe and technologically advanced classroom and laboratory environment.