William F. Walsh Science Center

    The William F. Walsh Science Center is St. Bonaventure University’s answer to the, “concern in our country about the critical need to improve education in science, mathematics and engineering,” according to University President, Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF.  Also according to Sr. Margaret the Walsh Science Center , “will have a transforming effect on this University’s ability to attract high quality faculty and students, and we are already seeing that impact with the current class entering for the fall of 2006.”

     The Walsh Science Center will be a 46,500 square foot addition housing, “state-of-the-art computer science, laboratory, and classroom space, biology labs, organic and chemistry labs, a Natural World lab, a 150-seat indoor amphitheater, and faculty offices…with lab space for better student-teacher accessibility.”  The new building will be parallel to De La Roche Hall and be connected to De La Roche by a central corridor.  De La Roche Hall will also be renovated as the final stage of the Walsh Science Center project.

    Funding for the Walsh Science Center was secured by New York Congressmen James T. Walsh (son of William F. Walsh) and Amory Houghton.  Congressman Walsh is a 1970 graduate of St. Bonaventure and stated, “We are especially proud of our dad who has been our leader and has never forgotten his most important job – that of being our father.  We are deeply grateful to S. Bonaventure for recognizing his leadership,” when asked about the science addition being named after his father.

    The completion date for the William F. Walsh Science Center has been set for 2008.  The designer/architect is Cannon Design of Grad Island, NY and the contractor is E.E. Austin & Son of Falconer, NY.

    William Francis Walsh was born in 1921, in Syracuse , New York and earned his BA at St. Bonaventure University in 1934.  After serving five years in the Pacific Theater, during World War II, Mr. Walsh pursued a career in Social Sciences.  In 1961 Walsh became mayor of Syracuse .  He served two consecutive terms as mayor.  During his terms as mayor Walsh was appointed to serve on a “Special Presidential Committee on Inter-Governmental Affairs” by President Lyndon Johnson.  After his second term as mayor Walsh served as a member of the New York State Public Service Commission, which he was appointed to by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1969.  In 1972 Walsh ran for Congress, winning the election and serving as a Representative in the 93^rd, 94^th, and 95^th Congresses.

    Mr. Walsh has seven children, and was honored with a Doctor of Laws degree by St. Bonaventure University in 1970.