On Feb. 21, President Chatt G. Wright opened the ground-breaking ceremony for the Frear Center, a new million dollar computer center that will expand and update the existing Media Technology Center and support the growing computer science and information system programs at Hawai‘i Pacific University.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do this without our trustees bringing us the grant,” said Wright. The Frear Eleemosynary Trust, recognizing the positive impact HPU has in Hawai‘i, donated $600,000 so HPU could expand the center by 4,500 square feet to a total of 12,500 square feet. HPU is honoring the trust by naming the center after it.

“This will bring HPU students to the next level of education,” said Assistant CSIS Professor Al Zimmermann about the three new classrooms, which will include the latest networking equipment and hardware. The classrooms will also combine extensive class instruction with hands-on experience in advanced software engineering.

Dr. Gordon Jones, CSIS professor, said that instead of having the students having the theory in the classrooms and then having to go the computer lab to apply the theories, students and instructors can now work together in a combined lecture and lab classroom. “Students will be able to work like real professionals—but with assistance from the instructor,” said Jones.

The Frear Center, located at 1132 Bishop St. on the downtown campus, is expected to be in operation by summer 2003.