PINE BLUFF, AR - Today, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Chancellor, Dr. Laurence B. Alexander, Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Economic Development and the Principal Investigator for the UAPB STEM Scholars Academy, Mary E. Benjamin, Arkansas Governor, Mike Beebe, President of the University of Arkansas System, Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt, public officials, STEM Building committee members, faculty and staff, alumni, STEM Scholars and student joined together on the open house of the newly builded STEM Building and Conference Center.

The open house included an overview of the new building, an address by Governor Mike Beebe, remarks and acknowledgements along with an ribbon cutting by Vice Chancellor, Mary E. Benjamin, along with Chancellor, Dr. Laurence Alexander, Shane Broadway (Director, Arkansas of Higher Education), Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt (President, University of Arkansas System), Stephanie Flowers (Arkansas State Senator), Henry "Hank" Wilkins, IV (Arkansas State Representative, STEM Building Campaign Chairperson), Christopher Jones (President of STEM Scholars Academy), and Dr. Margaret Martin-Hill (Director of Title lll Program Administration and Office of Development).

The new STEM Building and Conference Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is funded by Title lll of the Higher Education Act of 1965 under the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, this new building is projected to be 29,000 sq. feet with infusion of green concepts in its design and construction. The building provides wet labs, computer lab, class/seminar rooms, student resource center, conference rooms, and an 8,000 sq. ft auditorium for large assemblies.