UNMC will open the doors soon to a 10-level, state-of-the-art research building.
The $77 million Durham Research Center, built almost exclusively with private funds, will hold its dedication ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 13. Employees are invited to the dedication, which will begin at 10 a.m. A reception with refreshments will follow until 3 p.m. A public open house is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Dr. Maurer: “A beacon for UNMC”
“This research center will be a beacon for UNMC,” Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., said. “It will be a source of pride for all of the scientists who, in this building, will search for new and novel treatments to many debilitating and devastating diseases.”
Among the dignitaries invited to attend the dedication ceremony are Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns, Lt. Gov. Dave Heineman, U.S. Sens. Chuck Hagel and Ben Nelson, U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, Board of Regents President Randy Ferlic, M.D., University of Nebraska President L. Dennis Smith, Ph.D., University of Nebraska Foundation President Terry Fairfield and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey. Also expected to attend are many of the philanthropists who made the Durham Research Center possible, most notably Chuck Durham.
Giving spirit of donors
“Chuck’s gifts to UNMC could be best described as ‘transforming,’ ” Dr. Maurer said. “For many years to come, Nebraska citizens will benefit from Chuck’s vision and tremendous generosity, as well as the laudable giving spirit of the other donors.”
Of the research center’s cost, Nebraska’s Congressional delegation secured $2.5 million in federal funds for the project. The private sector provided gifts for the rest of the cost; no state funds were involved.
In addition to Durham, the principal donors of the Durham Research Center are: the Peter Kiewit Foundation; Suzanne and Walter Scott Jr.; Ruth and Bill Scott; Stanley Truhlsen, M.D.; Mary and Dick Holland; The Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Memorial Foundation; Gail Walling Yanney, M.D., and Michael Yanney; and a donor who has asked to remain anonymous.
The named floors/areas of the research center include the Suzanne and Walter Scott, Jr. Atrium and Education Center; the Ruth and Bill Scott Neurosciences Research Laboratories; the Stanley M. Truhlsen, M.D., Eye Research Laboratories; the Mary and Richard Holland Cardiovascular Research Laboratories; the Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Seminar Center; the Peter Kiewit Foundation Transplant Biology Research Laboratories; and the Gail Walling Yanney, M.D., Seminar Center.
The building’s namesake
“This research facility has the potential to make a difference in so many lives,” Durham said. “It is an honor to be associated with a medical center that has a vision to be world-class, to improve the health of all Nebraskans and beyond, advance medical knowledge through research and educate outstanding health professionals and scientists.”
Durham serves as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Durham Resources. Previously, he served as chairman and CEO of HDR, Inc., an international engineering and architectural firm with work in all 50 states and 20 countries. The amount of the gift is not being made public at Durham’s request.
Durham and his late wife, Margre, have been generous contributors to UNMC. In 1998, they established the Charles W. and Margre H. Durham Excellence in Medicine fund at UNMC to support research in prostate cancer, arthritis and minimally invasive surgery. Their support made it possible for UNMC to be the eighth medical center in the country to acquire the robotic da Vinci Surgical System, putting Nebraska on the map in the area of computer-assisted surgery. In recognition of their gift, the Outpatient Care Center was renamed the Durham Outpatient Center. Durham’s gifts also made possible the employee parking garage, which is located southeast of the intersection of Emile and 45th Streets.
About the Durham Research Center
The Durham Research Center is 289,000 gross square feet, and it towers over the western edge of UNMC. The research center features 116 research laboratories, a 319-seat auditorium, three classrooms and 12 conference/seminar rooms. About 55 of UNMC’s top researchers, accounting for nearly $55 million in extramural support, will move to the building. About 25 percent of the building’s space is being left open for research expansion and the recruitment of new, top-level researchers.
The plaza area adjoining the Durham Research Center – 45th Street from Emile Street to Dewey Avenue and Dewey Avenue from 45th Street to 44th Street – has been named the Durham Research Plaza.
Boosting interdisciplinary research
Research space in the Durham Research Center was filled through a competitive process. Scientists with similar research interests – but from different areas and departments on campus – have been assigned adjacent lab spaces in the center. Dr. Maurer said he’s confident that “affinity groups” will result from the unique interdisciplinary concept.
“I anticipate a tremendous boost in our research support, as result of this arrangement,” Dr. Maurer said. “The sparks are going to fly in that building.”