Trinity University

Sharon Jones Schweitzer '75
sjones@trinity.edu
210-999-8406
Apr. 26, 2012

$5 Million Gift to Support Trinity's Center for the Sciences and Innovation

Significant donation to spark imagination, collaboration across the disciplines

San Antonio - Trinity University has received a pledge for a $5 million gift from the Centene Corporation and Michael '65 and Noémi Neidorff to support the development of its new Center for the Sciences and Innovation (CSI). Being built in phases, the CSI will provide Trinity with state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research that are designed to stimulate collaboration, encourage discovery, and open up new ways of thinking across the disciplines.

In recognition of the gift, Trinity will name the innovation center within the Center for Sciences and Innovation, the Centene Corporation-Michael F. and Noémi Neidorff Center for Innovation in the Sciences, Health Care Management, and Liberal Arts. The two-story innovation center will be a highly visible, multi-purpose space designed to spark imagination and serve as the entrepreneurial engine room where students can meld discovery with commercial application. The center will also be the focal point for health care symposiums where leaders in the field discuss opportunities to improve the delivery of health services.

"Trinity is deeply grateful to Michael and Noémi and the Centene Corporation for this gift and the tremendous impact the Neidorffs have had on the University," said Trinity President Dennis A. Ahlburg.

Neidorff, a leader in the health care industry, is chairman and chief executive officer of St. Louis-based Centene Corp., a managed care provider that administers health plans in Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana, New Jersey, and Ohio. He is a member of Trinity's Board of Trustees and an active alumnus; he earned a Bachelor of Science in political science in 1965. Mrs. Neidorff, a civic leader and trained concert pianist, is very active with arts organizations across the country. In recognition of their support University-wide, Trinity's art gallery was named in honor of the Neidorffs in 2009.

The concept for CSI evolved from the recognition that the breakthrough discoveries of the 21^st century will be increasingly interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial in nature. "We're excited to see the Center for Sciences and Innovation come online as a hub of intellectual creativity and discovery and a place where Trinity students are propelled to the forefront of interdisciplinary research," said Neidorff. The largest building project in Trinity's history, CSI will lead to greater cooperation and collaboration among all academic disciplines.

The University broke ground on the multi-phase project in May 2010. The first new structure opened earlier this year to rave reviews from faculty and students. It features glass-walled classrooms and labs, state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, a dramatic lobby atrium, and comfortable study areas. The $127 million project combines new construction with the renovation of existing buildings to create an integrated 280,000 square-foot complex. Construction of the final phase will begin in late March with completion slated for spring 2014.

The Center for the Sciences and Innovation was designed by the Boston firm of Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture and Engineering, PC (EYP) in partnership with the San Antonio firm of RVK Architects, with assistance from a steering committee composed of Trinity science and engineering faculty and staff.