Students at USD’s new Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology will learn about science before they ever enter the classroom. Just walking into the center’s lobby is an educational experience.

A two-story interactive art sculpture of fiber-optic cables and sensors, designed by USD Fine Arts Professor David Smith, shoots out colors of red, green, yellow and blue while computer screens display scientific images to stimulate students’ interest in biology, chemistry, physics and marine and environmental sciences.

Sue Lowery, USD associate biology professor and the center’s faculty coordinator, says “science is definitely built into the building.”

The $10 million gift from Donald and Darlene Shiley is believed to be the largest private donation ever made to support undergraduate science education in the San Diego region.

USD President Alice B. Hayes says students in all disciplines will benefit from the center. “It’s not just the Ph.D.-level scientist that makes San Diego a hotbed of biotech and wireless communication innovation, but also professionals in a variety of fields who must have a hands-on understanding of fundamental scientific principles.”

Every USD undergraduate is required to complete courses in science and will make use of the 150,000-square-foot center and 73 labs and classrooms. High-tech tools include a geographic information system laboratory to map ecosystems such as Mission Bay and a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to analyze chemical compounds. A laser particle sorter and electron microscopy lab are also part of the center. Four environmental rooms will permit controlled-temperature work.

More than 700 other donors, including foundations, corporations, USD alumni and other individuals, contributed to the building. Wings of the center have been named to recognize gifts from the Fletcher Jones, Carrie Estelle Doheny and Kresge foundations. The wing for the Religious of the Sacred Heart will honor early science educators from USD’s original women’s college.

Other supporters include Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of San Diego, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Sempra Energy. Benefactors were William and Faye Cory and H. Lary and Lenore Magee.