It’s been 76 years since a major renovation happened inside the Science Hall building at WVU Potomac State College. Now, the Phase One renovations of one of the College's most iconic buildings are well underway.
“Science Hall for years was in a lot of developmental purgatory,” said Micah Pears, director of facilities at PSC. “But now that is all coming to an end, and hopefully people can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
That “light” to which he refers is the first phase of an ambitious project at Science Hall – a project that seeks to bring the building, the equipment, the faculty, and staff into a new, modern, advanced age of science, chemistry, biology, and technology.
“Ambitious is a good word to use. That’s an appropriate word,” Pears said, giving a guided tour recently of the laborious construction currently underway to the west wing of the building, encompassing three floors, four labs, multiple classrooms, and a handful of offices.
“This is very much a proof-of-concept idea that we are watching happen in real time,” Pears said. “This is the first renovation here since this building was built in 1950.”
Science Hall sits perched on top of the former Fort Hill and is a landmark for the College and the surrounding community. It is one of the two buildings most photographed on campus.
“Aside from the administration building, this is probably the most recognized building on campus,” said Pears. “There was talk for a long time about tearing the building down and starting completely over, but we have a good building with good bones here. We are going to use it.”
Thanks to a combination of public and private support and cooperation across multiple entities, biology and chemistry laboratories are the first to undergo renovations. The WVU Board of Governors approved the project at their November meeting, greenlighting the modernization of classrooms. After demolition was completed, construction began in earnest last month, with crews working four 10-hour shifts Monday through Thursday, allowing faculty and staff the opportunity to plan around the construction and the noise associated with it.
“The faculty here has been exceptional in their patience,” said Pears. “This is something that has been promised to them for 20 years, so the fact that we are getting this part close to the finish line is very impactful.”
Erin Cunningham, STEM division chair and biology professor, said the construction noise and the move into a temporary, albeit cramped office have all been signs of the times.
“You don’t know how long we have been waiting for this, so I really don’t mind the noise and the small office for right now,” she said. “At first, we were told it would need to be torn down and a whole new building constructed, and then we were told it would be renovations. And then those of us who work in the building were asked what we would like to see. It’s been this thing that has been dangling over our heads, so I am excited to get this finished.”
Cunningham said she began her career at Potomac State College two decades ago, and modernization to the building was discussed even then.
“I remember touring the labs when I took this job, and they were the complete opposite and a throwback to where I had worked before. It felt like a step back in time.”
Cunningham said it has been a challenge at times to instruct properly in antiquated labs.
“You have students coming here from say – Mountain Ridge in Frostburg and Allegany in Cumberland, and those are brand new schools with brand new equipment, and then they come here, it’s almost a step back for many of them,” she said. “These renovations will take care of that and will provide the students with the equipment and the kind of environment for learning that they need.”
Chemical hygiene officer and assistant professor, Ajaya Warrier, said he was thrilled when developers and administrators asked for his input as an educator.
“They gave us multiple diagrams and designs, and we were able to pick and choose what we would like to see,” he said. “The faculty is very excited to teach in these new settings.”
Professor Joshua Carder said he was a student at Potomac State College, and the labs have not changed at all since his studies here. Now that he is a faculty member, he is eager for the changes.
“We were able to add our input,” he said. “I am just excited that we are finally experiencing it. I like looking in on the construction from time to time and checking the progress.”
“Finally, we are doing it,” said Associate Dean Vicki Huffman. “They have been talking about this since I have been here.”
Huffman said she was initially part of the committee that studied the feasibility and durability of Science Hall. While she was not involved in the direct planning of the biology and chemistry labs, her original input and that of the first committee that studied the options were still considered.
“And now here we are,” she said. “We are investing back into the College, which invests into the community. It’s something very positive.”Pears said it is his hope that once construction is done, it will serve as inspiration and incentive for what’s to come.
“Once people see how nice and new all of this is, they are going to want the rest to be done and to be just as nice,” he said.
This project will primarily upgrade equipment and facilities, as well as remediate airflow issues. In addition to providing a safer and more functional space for students and faculty, the renovation will address longstanding infrastructure deficiencies and enhance the learning environment.
The project involves the renovation and reconfiguration of approximately 4,810 square feet of space, including laboratory and office areas. The scope of work includes asbestos abatement, installation of new casework and fume hoods, a new rooftop air handling unit, electrical and plumbing upgrades, new lighting, and refreshed finishes throughout the labs.
Cunningham said the renovations will allow for better workflow for students and create an atmosphere that will foster learning.
“The layouts have been changed, new equipment is coming in, the air quality and the ventilation systems will be improved,” she said. “I am excited to get started in the fall now and see how it all flows,” she said. “It’s even a little emotional to see it all coming together and taking shape.”
The original project was funded through the State-HEPC deferred maintenance grant and budgeted at $2.3 million. Due to unforeseen challenges, the construction estimate came in over budget by $2.6 million for a total of $4.9 million. The cost increase was primarily due to required asbestos abatement, significant HVAC upgrades, and electrical enhancements to support new lab equipment.
After realizing the need to raise additional funds for the proposed project, leaders looked to identify new funding sources. WVU identified an approximately $1 million surplus from other HEPC deferred maintenance projects at Potomac State College to bring this number to $3.3 million.
In mid-October, the College hosted West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson during the 30th official county visit on his “Welcome Home Tour.” President Benson was joined by local legislators and officials from WVU Medicine.
After the tour, Mark Boucot, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Potomac Valley Hospital and WVU Medicine Garrett Regional Medical Center, committed $1 million toward the renovation, primarily in support of the nursing program whose graduates go on to staff WVU Medicine facilities.
“WVU Medicine was delighted to invest in upgrading the science facilities at Potomac State College,” said Boucot at the time. “The College’s Health Sciences programs play an important role in graduating nursing staff and other critical health care workers to serve our communities.”
The remaining $600,000 will be funded by the WVU FY27 Capital Pool.
Construction in this phase is expected to be complete before the start of the Fall 2026 semester.
“These renovations are critical for the future and vitality of WVU Potomac State College,” PSC President Jerry Wallace said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had capital improvements in our classrooms, and it is essential in recruiting that we modernize these spaces to attract new students."