Rockhurst Sentinel

Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Rockhurst.edu

Since 1996, Rockhurst knew the science building as Richardson Science Center. But this year, if you ask a freshman science major where Richardson is, they will give you a blank look.

No, the blank stare isn't because they're still getting acquainted with Rockhurst; it's because Richardson no longer exits. The building formerly called Richardson is now simply known as the Science Cneter.

Who is this Richardson that Rockhurst so honored at one point? And more importantly, what did he do to get his name ripped off the sign?

In all the historical literature on the Rockhurst website, the building in question is referred to as the "Aubrey Richardson Science Center" throughout. Mr. Richardson donated a pretty impressive $12 million during the "Renewing Commitments" campaign in 1992.

Construction began two years later, and Richardson's name was attached to the project. In 1996, the campaign wrapped up with $41.4 million, and Richardson was responsible for about a quarter of those donations. The $9.5 million Aubrey Richardson Science Center opened in 1996. But over ten years later, the building has been generically renamed "Science Center."

Katherine Frohoff, Rockhurst's director of public relations and marketing, provided The Sentinel with a history of Richardson's involvement at Rockhurst. Aubrey Richardson was an adjunct faculty member and "true supporter" of Rockhurst for nearly twenty years. The dedication of the Science Center was in response to both donations and will trusts.

But Richardson's testamentary gifts ended up being less than expected, due to "changes in Mr. Richardson's business and family situation, as well as other economic conditions beyond Rockhurst's control," said Frohoff.

Mr. Richardson's will was unable to fill the pledge.

"It didn't make sense to continue to call it Richardson," commented Frohoff.

"Rockhurst and the Richardson family came to the decision that it was best to allow Rockhurst University the ability to provide future naming opportunities for the Science Center."

For now, the building will remain the "Science Center." Frohoff said that Rockhurst may consider changing the name in the next two years if someone is interested in the prospect during the next capital campaign.

The name Richardson isn't completely unattached to the Rockhurst campus, however. The suite of offices on the second floor of Massman where the advancement staff are located has been dedicated the "Richardson Advancement Center."

So these days, the sign simply reads "Science Center" and the large portrait of Mr. Richardson no longer stands watch over the main hallway.

And if a science major says they "spent the night in Richardson," they are simply the last of a dying breed of students who will call the building Richardson out of habit.

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