THATCHER BUILDING

A crowd of well-wishers gathered on Wednesday, March 13, to celebrate the opening of the Thatcher Building for Biological and Biophysical Chemistry. The building is named in honor of the Lawrence E. and Helen F. Thatcher family, whose generous gift made the new facility possible. Located adjacent to the Henry Eyring Chemistry Building, the five-story structure provides space for much-needed research labs for graduate students—those future science professionals who are working in critical chemistry disciplines and will help shape the future of the Department of Chemistry.

The second level of the building will enhance the training of undergraduate students in the latest techniques and tools in chemistry research. It also houses the Curie Club, established in 2011, one hundred years after Marie Curie’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The club inspires and supports women in science, and provides space to host activities ranging from undergraduate experiments in the adjacent laboratories, to informal outreach to school children and scout groups.

The top floor of the building features a 100-seat seminar room and reception area with sweeping views of the Salt Lake Valley.

On the west side of the building is a stunning, four-story glass wall with a design of the periodic table etched in the glass—the large symbols are the first thing students, faculty, staff and visitors will see as they enter campus from the Stadium TRAX station and parking lot. The iconic “window” makes a strong statement that chemistry ranks high on this campus.

In addition to making the lead gift for the new building, the Thatcher Family endowed a Thatcher Company Scholarship last year, and in a surprise announcement at the dedication, President Pershing announced an additional gift from Lawrence, Helen and Tom Thatcher—a new Presidential Endowed Chair in Biological Chemistry. President Pershing was noticeably pleased to announce that the inaugural chair is a woman—Cynthia Burrows—a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and recipient of a University of Utah Distinguished Teaching Award. Burrows will have laboratories located in the new building and will provide leadership for future generations of students and faculty in biological chemistry.

LEROY E. COWLES BUILDING

The Cowles building housed the original library of the University until 1913, when the collection was moved to the Park Building. The Liberal Arts Department then took the place of the library. In 1957 this building housed the Mathematics Department, and in 1976, it became the Communication Building.

Of the first three University of Utah buildings constructed, this one is the least altered, both inside and out. The entrance, on the west side, has two columns with unusual capitals, which support a portico in front of the double arched doorway. Like its companion, the James E. Talmage Building, the entrance is placed asymmetrically on the facade.

There is a loft on the 4th floor which serves as the graduate student offices and study spaces. It's one of the quietest buildings on campus with the most study spaces - both private study rooms and tons of big open work spaces. It's also the closest building to the Union Food Court for when students need a break!

Aline W. Skaggs BUILDING

South Biology BUILDING

The South Biology building was first proposed when the U was home to the controversial Institute of Environmental Biological Research, in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Dugway Proving Ground for the purpose of developing chemical, biological and radioactive weapons (CBR). The National Institutes of Health provided funding for its construction, based on the Biology Division’s disease surveillance work at Dugway and other health-related duties being conducted at the U. After the 1960s, the building was no longer a partner with the NIH for CBR production.

South Biology then became the catalyst for a strong new emphasis in cellular and molecular microbiology research at the U, including the hiring of Mario Capecchi, the Nobel Laureate whose original lab was in the building.  In 2018, the department of Biology was renamed the School of Biological Sciences, to better encapsulate the focus on the breadth of the discipline, ranging from cell biology to ecology.

The South Bio building houses the Biology Learning Center (BLC), where students can receive tutoring. There are great places to study throughout the building, and you're only an indoor bridge away from Brio Coffee in ASB.

Currently, the South Biology Building houses a multitude of research labs, teaching labs, tutoring from the BLC, and the administration of the School of Biological Sciences. The basement has an anatomy lab and a vivarium of research birds, reptiles, and more. There’s a greenhouse filled with research plants and a pigeon coop on the roof.

Nearby to South Bio is Building 44, home to BioKids, the child care center for College of Science faculty, staff and students. The 1945 building was originally home to Student Health Services and was built using federal grant money and money through the Federal Works Agency post World War II. The building was designed to care for students too ill to stay in their "lodgings" but not ill enough for hospitalization. It was one of only three permanent structures erected on campus in the 1940s and is the only building on campus planned and completed during the War.

James Fletcher BUILDING

JOHN A. WIDTSOE BUILDING

The Widtsoe building is one of the oldest buildings on campus. It was nearly destroyed by fire on December 19, 1901, but was restored in 1902. Widtsoe was originally the Physical Science Building, but was remodeled in 1976  to house the Mathematics Department.

John Widstoe was President of the U from 1916-1921, and also wrote the laws and by-laws of the first University Constitution.

South Physics Building

South Physics Observatory

The  building was erected in 1930. It was originally named the Engineering Hall but was changed to the South Physics Building in 1966. In 1967, an observatory dome was built on its roof. This dome now resides in the Stansbury Park Observatory Complex.

In 2001, the South Physics Observatory added a new observatory dome and was updated with new equipment through a donation from the Willard L. Eccles Foundation. Until recently, the South Physics Building was the center for many physics labs that are required for multiple majors on campus.

Currently, the South Physics Building is the home of the South Physics Observatory and AstronUmers headquarters. The Observatory normally holds weekly Star Parties with their multiple telescopes, and the outreach group AstronUmers uses this observatory to provide physics and astronomy demonstrations to students from across the state. It also contains multiple research labs, offices, a physics graduate student lounge, and a large computer lab.

The Star Parties program at the South Physics Observatory is a super fun activity to do with friends or a date. The astronomers allow you to look into the telescopes, ask as many questions as you want and they take suggestions of objects to look at. Definitely one of the most unique experiences you can have at the U!

Even if Star Parties aren’t being held, the South Physics Observatory still does outreach through Facebook Live, lectures, and other fun astronomy posts! Check them out here.

James talmage BUILDING