New UWM Chemistry Building draws a reaction

UWM Chancellor Mark Mone led an enthusiastic grand opening ceremony for UWM’s brand-new Chemistry Building Friday afternoon.

More than 200 students, faculty, staff, government representatives and friends of UWM packed into one of the building’s many sleek, modern lecture halls for the celebration. It was all punctuated by a flash-bang, fireball-producing chemical reaction – ignited by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Wisconsin State Sen. Duey Stroebel – that drew a final round of cheers from the crowd.

The event marked the completion of six years of design and construction, capping a significant milestone in UWM’s commitment to advancing scientific education and research. Mone shared how the facility is a destination for science students and will play a crucial role in educating the next generation of STEM professionals.

More than 3,500 UWM students take chemistry or biochemistry classes each year. They can now do so in a four-story, 163,400-square-foot building that represents a significant leap forward from the previous chemistry facility, which was built in 1972.