Salem, Ohio – Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton accepted a $700,000 commitment today from the James and Coralie Centofanti Foundation that will be used to complete the Health and Sciences Wing on the campus of Kent State University at Salem. Pending approval by the Kent State Board of Trustees, the wing will be named the James and Coralie Centofanti Hall.
The multi-million-dollar Health and Sciences Wing opened in September 2011 and features state-of-the-art facilities on the first floor, including dedicated spaces for nursing and radiology instruction, a conference room, bookstore and centralized classrooms. The second floor of the wing remains unfinished; therefore, the Centofanti Foundation donation will be used to transform the 9,000 –square-foot shell into hands-on science laboratories and additional classrooms for biology, chemistry and other science-related studies.
“Kent State is committed to expanding learning opportunities that allow our graduates to pursue long-term careers in our communities,” Lefton said. “The James and Coralie Centofanti Foundation gift will help Kent State Salem expand these opportunities. We are grateful for community partners like the Centofanti Foundation.”
The initial renovation of the wing began in 2010 and converted an underutilized gymnasium into an additional 16,000 square feet of learning space for the Salem campus. Contributions to help finance the kickoff of these renovations were received from Salem Community Hospital, the Salem Community Foundation, the Pearce Foundation and more than 50 private individuals and families.
“We look to support initiatives that will foster a better tomorrow,” said David Centofanti, son of James and Coralie Centofanti. “This hall is a needed expansion that will help students grow and learn in an environment that will make them better health care workers.”
James Centofanti’s brother, Joe, also was on hand for the presentation to Kent State. “My brother would be proud to know that this gift will make many local communities stronger,” he said. “Jim and his wife, Coralie, believed in giving back, the power of philanthropy and the importance of learning. This gift will help prepare students to fill important professional roles in our community. Kent State Salem’s students demonstrate the work ethic that Jim believed was essential to success in any field.”
During the next several months, officials at Kent State Salem will work with the Office of the University Architect to develop a timeline to begin construction.
The Kent State Columbiana County campuses, which include Kent State Salem and Kent State East Liverpool, are home to more than 2,200 students and offer 27 degree programs. Find more information about the Kent State Columbiana County campuses here.
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Photo Caption #1: Nursing and Radiology students offer thanks to the James & Coralie Centofanti Foundation.
Photo Caption #2: Kent State President Dr. Lester Lefton
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Media Contact: Tina Smith, tsmit170@kent.edu, 330-337-4247