Aurora's Rosary High School unveils renovated STEM wing

Rosary High School unveiled the new STEM wing Oct. 24 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by school and Aurora city officials.

The STEM wing renovation, completed over the summer, updated science classrooms, labs, and a preparatory room.

The Rosary Women in STEM Capital Campaign raised $1 million, including a $250,000 matching grant from the Dunham Fund, for the project. STEM includes science, technology, engineering and math.

Kluber Architects + Engineers provided the architectural, engineering, and plumbing services for the project.

Rosary's science classrooms had remained unchanged since the school's opening in 1962.

"We have transformed 1960s classrooms into state-of-the-art, college-worthy laboratories and science rooms," said Travis Ketterman, Rosary board chairman.

Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin and Deputy Mayor Chuck Nelson attended the event, with the mayor presenting a congratulatory certificate to Head of School Amy McMahon and Board President Travis Ketterman.

"Rosary STEM classrooms will have a significant impact on multiple facets of the Rosary experience," said Head of School Amy McMahon.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held for the wing itself and for the named classrooms:

• STEM wing named for the Dunham Foundation;

• Physics lab for Agnes Lochmann;

• Chemistry lab for Lori (May '78) and Jay Bergman. Lori is a Rosary graduate and former board member;

• Biology lab for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, sponsors of Rosary High School.

The event also included an open house and reception for major donors. Individual tours of the new wing were led by members of Rosary's Student Ambassador Leadership Team. Masks were worn and social distancing observed.

For information, visit www.rosaryhs.com.