HWS News
24 October 2025 HWS Awarded $5M State Grant to Fuel Construction of Fish Center for the Sciences
State partnership supports new era of science at HWS.
Hobart and William Smith has been awarded a $5 million Higher Education Capital (HECap) Matching Grant from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to support the construction of the new Fish Center for the Sciences and the renovation of existing science facilities on campus.
The HECap grant will help fund a $63 million project that includes construction of a nearly 40,000 square foot integrated science building and modernization of three neighboring facilities—Lansing, Gulick and Rosenberg Halls—creating a revitalized hub for interdisciplinary research, teaching and collaboration in the sciences.
The new Fish Center for the Sciences is a cornerstone of Hobart and William Smith’s $400 million comprehensive campaign to begin HWS’ third century, announced in April 2024. HWS has already secured $37.6 million in commitments to support the project, including a $25 million lead gift from Honorary Trustee Cynthia Gelsthorpe Fish ’82, L.H.D. ’23 and John F. Fish.
“This investment from the State of New York through the HECap program underscores the importance of public–private partnerships in higher education,” says President Mark D. Gearan. “The Fish Center for the Sciences will transform the academic experience for our students and faculty, expand access to scientific learning across disciplines, and further strengthen HWS’ role as an engine of innovation and economic vitality for the Finger Lakes region.”
With 33 percent of HWS students majoring in a science discipline and another 10 percent minoring in one, the new facility will significantly expand hands-on learning and research opportunities. Designed by Suffolk Construction where John Fish serves as CEO and Chairman, the Fish Center for the Sciences will feature 12 research labs, nine teaching labs, specialized spaces for tissue culture and instrumentation, and collaborative commons that connect the sciences to the broader liberal arts curriculum. The building is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification or higher.
Renovations to existing buildings will provide new classrooms, upgraded mechanical systems, and modernized lab space to support interdisciplinary work across biology, chemistry, physics, geoscience, computer science, data analytics, mathematics and psychology. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2026, with completion anticipated for the 2027–28 academic year.
“For generations, HWS faculty and students have advanced scientific discovery in Geneva, ranging from environmental research on Seneca Lake to biomedical innovation and planetary science,” says Provost and Dean of Faculty Sarah Kirk. “The Fish Center for the Sciences ensures that this legacy continues in facilities designed for collaboration, creativity and the challenges of 21st-century science.”
In addition to enhancing academic programs, the project will yield significant economic benefits for Geneva and the Finger Lakes region. HWS contributes an estimated $220 million annually to the regional economy and employs more than 400 people who live in Geneva and the surrounding area.
HWS’ commitment to revitalizing the sciences reflects a broader institutional mission to prepare students to “lead lives of consequence.” The new Fish Center for the Sciences will serve as a visible symbol of that mission, linking rigorous research, sustainability and community impact.
“We are deeply grateful to the State of New York and DASNY for their confidence in Hobart and William Smith,” Gearan says. “This grant ensures that our students, today and for decades to come, will have the facilities they need to explore, discover and make a difference.”
Top: A rendering of the new Fish Center for the Sciences, which will be located on the south side of the Quad.
