The new Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Nursing at Bowie State University drew a large crowd for its grand opening June 9.

Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Nursing at Bowie State University. (Courtesy photo via Instagram)

The $102 million facility was the product of a two-year state-funded construction project.

Bowie State University President Mickey Burnim said the new science building would meet an increase in student enrollment and the need for “a wonderful state of the art facility” to complement degree programs in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

“It was very clear that a building that had been constructed in the 1950s when the enrollment at the university was around 2,000 simply was not adequate for a university of the 21st century that enjoyed an enrollment of well over 5,000 students,” said Burnim.

At the grand opening, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said the center will benefit the community and “help position Bowie State University as an epicenter of problem solving and breakthroughs in the critical fields of science technologies, engineering, and math.”

Hogan called the new facility a “shining example that this university will continue to be a state, national, and global leader.”

The building features 25,000 square feet of dynamic glass from the SageGlass company that tints based on the amount of sunlight exposure. The tinting mechanism prevents overheating, glare, and fading while maintaining access to outdoor views and natural sunlight. The installation is expected to help cut the costs of heating and increase sustainability efforts on campus, university officials said.

Multiple meeting spaces are available throughout the building, including The Beacon, “a three-story, cylindrical multipurpose gathering space” and a greenhouse.

Many students and faculty expressed interest in the new nursing center, which provides mannequins that realistically simulate human responses under different health conditions.

Bowie State senior Kyle Jones, a mass communications major, said one of his favorite building features was the nursing wing.

“It’s really hands-on. They can help you in this new world can compete with D-1 schools and Ivy League schools as well,” said Jones. “It’s really putting Bowie on a really good standard to go against competition because we have a lot of hands-on stuff.”

The new center is already in use by summer students and faculty, university officials said.