Nearly $2 million in high technology classrooms and laboratories became available for HPU students and faculty when the Hawai‘i Pacific University Frear Center opened Aug. 6.

Grand opening ceremonies were held on Fort Street Mall at the 1132 Bishop Street building and featured presentations by HPU President Chatt Wright, Chairman of the Frear Eleemosynary Trust Sharon McPhee, and HPU Vice President Dr. John Fleckles. HPU Trustee Rev. Frank E. Butterworth conducted the blessing, and the public was invited to tour the Frear Center following the ceremonies.

The new 4,500-square-foot facility features instructional classrooms and laboratories, including a hardware and telecommunications lab, software engineering lab, and systems lab. The addition will support both faculty and student research that emanates from professional interests and class work. The facility was made possible by a $600,000 grant from the Frear Eleemosynary Trust and by contributions from the community.

The Frear Center incorporates the existing 8,000-square-foot technology wing that was constructed in 1998 at a cost of $1.2 million. The original wing includes the Communication Video Laboratory, HECO Technology Laboratory, Information Systems Lab, Multimedia Production Laboratory, classrooms specifically equipped with instructional technology, and administrative offices for Center staff.

The Frear Center offers opportunities for students and faculty to create and study complex systems that make use of mobile and wireless technologies, fiber optics, multi-protocol environments, and sophisticated software.