Despite being hunkered down under two small tents while the rain steadily poured, UNA President William Cale, campus and city officials and members of the Alabama State Legislature broke ground on the new science and technology building May 6.

“This has been a campus priority for a long time, and certainly among my highest priorities since I first toured Floyd (Science Building) shortly after my arrival,” Cale wrote in a campus-wide e-mail earlier this semester.

Several officials spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony about the impact the new building will have on the university, the city of Florence and current and future students.

“Not only will this building attract students globally, it will also help students compete globally,” said Tammy Irons, Alabama senator.

City Council President Dick Jordan said the building speaks volumes about the university.

“This building sends the message that our university is not content with mediocre classrooms or a mediocre education,” he said.

Biology professor Paul Kittle told the crowd about his experiences with the current science facilities in Floyd Hall.

“I’m very familiar with its shortcomings and inadequacies for the sciences,” he said. “This new facility will enhance our ability to recruit and retain new students and faculty members.”

Greg Burdine, a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, said this project was one of his top five priorities when he ran for office in 2010.

“I have to commend the students, parents, faculty and administration,” he said. “They are the backbone of this project.”

City of Florence Mayor Mickey Haddock echoed Burdine’s sentiments.

“UNA has always been the cornerstone of this area, both academically and economically,” Haddock said. “We have a great working relationship with the university, and we’re looking forward to partnering more in the future.”

The UNA Board of Trustees approved a low bid to build the new science building on campus on April 3. The $39.7 million bid came in from the Birmingham-based company B.L. Harbert International.Cale said he expects the completion of the project to be during the fall of 2014.

To contribute to these funds, on May 14 the Florence City Council unanimously voted to include the university in their capital appropriations bill in the form of $3 million, Cale said in a university-wide email. The money will go toward the construction of the new building, he said.

“This is a magnificent award and is certainly yet another affirmation of the commitment our city has for our success,” Cale said in the email.