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New LHU Science Center officially open

LOCK HAVEN – Both history and vision were in evidence at the ribbon-cutting Thursday for the new Lock Haven University Science Center.

The three-story building sits solidly where the old Lock Haven Senior High School stood.

That high school was built in 1928, closed when the consolidated Central Mountain High School opened in 1999, and demolished just about two years ago to make way for the science center.

The high school cornerstone box had been found and was officially opened at the ribbon-cutting. LHU President Dr. Michael Fiorentino Jr. did the honors with June Long Houser, granddaughter of William C. Long Sr., who had been school board president during the planning and building of LHHS.

Houser said her grandfather had taught at the university, which was then the Lock Haven Normal School, and lived on campus for a time. As the bursar, he accepted the check that allowed the school to become Lock Haven State Teachers College.

As she lifted out papers from the treasure box, she recognized his handwriting, she said. The items included a copy of The Express from June 7, 1928, a list of faculty members, the baccalaureate and commencement programs for that year, a list of graduates in that class, documents from the local Lafayette Lodge F & AM pertaining to the laying of the cornerstone, and more.

Houser lives across West Main Street from the former high school cafeteria and gym building, now a university gymnasium and soon-to-open dining center, Nanobites.

“We proudly watched every brick come down, and every brick go up in this beautiful building,” she said.

Guy Graham, chairman of the LHU Board of Trustees, referred to the science center as “a cornerstone of campus.”

State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Lock Haven, also gave remarks. A graduate of both LHHS and LHU, he is the Democratic representative on the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

For the full story, check out today’s print edition of The Express

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