Wolfe-Harris Center for Excellence Taking Form at Northwestern Health Sciences University

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Construction on Northwestern Health Sciences University’s new addition, the Wolfe-Harris Center for Excellence, is quickly making progress, even with bitter winter temperatures enveloping Minnesota.

The three-story structure is enclosed now, and the floor is being poured this week for the bottom level, which will house the research department. Jim McDonald, MBA, vice president of administrative services, said the electricity, sewer and water has also been installed on the bottom level.

The offices on the second floor are currently being laid out, McDonald said. In addition to office space, this level will provide an area for students, including couches, computers, a fireplace and huge windows looking out at the courtyard. The president’s office, student affairs, alumni and development offices will be located on the second floor.

Fire sprinkler installation is complete on the top two floors, said Kevin Wolpern, director of the physical plant at Northwestern. The third floor, McDonald said, is where the Greenawalt library will be located.

“Each floor is about 14,000 square feet,” McDonald said. “Everything is on schedule – and the library is truly amazing.”

The University’s research division – the Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies – is expected to move into its new facility this spring, with the remaining two floors opening in September 2008.

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, human biology, and integrative health and wellness. The University has more than 900 full-time students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minn.