AUSTIN–A $1 million contribution by R.B. and Peggy Lewis and Tom and Carolyn Gallagher, will launch the first phase of an ambitious master plan for St. Edward's University. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new academic building, the first in a series of up to 12 new buildings, will take place on Monday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Andre Hall on the campus of St. Edward's. Other contributors will be announced during the ceremony.

Carolyn Gallagher is chair of the Board of Trustees for St. Edward's University. She is the former president and owner of Texwood Furniture Corp., a company that manufactures educational furniture in Taylor. Gallagher, who received her bachelor's degree from Duke University and her master's degree from Harvard Graduate School of Business, was named Austin's Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year in 1995.

Tom Gallagher is senior vice president for business development at Seton Medical Center. He received his bachelor's degree from Indiana University and is a certified public accountant. Before joining Seton, Gallagher was employed with Arthur Anderson for 12 years. Gallagher is also treasurer of the Austin Community College Foundation. R.B. and Peggy Lewis, parents of Carolyn Gallagher, have been long-time supporters of St. Edward's University.

R. B. Lewis received his bachelor's degree from The University of Texas and before retirement, worked as a local mortgage banker. Peggy Lewis received her bachelor's degree from Sweet Briar College and her master's degree from The University of Texas.

The three-story, 33,000-square-foot building will blend state-of-the-art technology with the classical look, feel and spirit of the St. Edward's campus. It will feature a brise-soleil or sun-shade of cast concrete, 12 classrooms, three computer classrooms and a conference and seminar room. The computer classrooms and computer lab will be in one section of the building, called the computer "tower." The three high-tech classrooms will be situated above the lab and will have 25-27 computer stations in each. Because this electronic equipment will generate a significant amount of heat, this state-of-the-art tower will be equipped with a separate air-conditioning system that will increase the building's overall energy efficiency.

The innovative design for the new academic building was developed by Arthur W. Andersson of AnderssonoWise of Austin, formerly Moore/Andersson. The architectural firm collaborated with St. Edward's faculty and toured existing classrooms on campus to develop an understanding of the requirements of the building, as well as the history of the campus. Andersson was especially sensitive to the need for the new structure to complement and enhance, but not overshadow, the Gothic Revival style of Main Building and Holy Cross Hall, two buildings that have come to symbolize the spirit of St. Edward's.

The new academic building will mark the first stage of the ambitious campus master plan, which will eventually include an additional academic building, four new residence halls, a new theater, a parking garage, a new chapel, several new athletic fields, a new administration building and a redesigned road system. Existing buildings, including the Scarborough-Phillips Library, will also receive a face-lift and expansion.

St. Edward's University is an independent Catholic liberal arts university of 3,800 students in Austin. It was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross.