You know that old saying about sparing the rod and spoiling the child?
So does Ruth Scott. But she’d prefer to use many rods — at least, when the rods are made of rebar, the omnipresent construction material that can be found in the many buildings, rooms and amenities Ruth and her husband Bill have contributed to UNMC.
About the facility
The existing fitness facility, known as the Center for Healthy Living, opened in 1996 inside the 64,755-square-foot Student Life Center on the east edge of the Omaha campus. It has become a hub for the 3,000 faculty, staff and students who use it.
Once completed, the facility will feature larger locker rooms with private changing areas and showers, permanent areas for stretching and table tennis, as well more space for additional strength and fitness machines.
Construction is set to begin in March 2015 and be completed by March 2016.
For more information on the new facility, click here.
The Scotts continued spoiling their “children” at UNMC Tuesday, with the ceremonial groundbreaking of a new, 6,525-square-foot addition and 11,845 square feet renovation to two floors of the Student Life Center building at 40th and Jones streets.
The $6 million redevelopment and expansion project was approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents at its May meeting and made possible by a donation by the Scotts, with Ruth Scott speaking at the event.
See more photos from the groundbreaking here.
“Today, we are heralding the use of even more rebar to mold you into the healthiest students possible,” she joked, brandishing a length of rebar.
Nebraska natives, the Scotts have made multiple gifts to UNMC, including their latest gift to establish the UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, a key component of the new building for the College of Pharmacy along with the Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education. Currently under construction, completion of the $35 million project is set for July 2015.
(For more information on the Scotts and their impact at UNMC, click here.)
“One needs not look very far to see the Scotts’ incredible impact at UNMC,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “Their gifts have literally transformed our campus and we can’t thank them enough for their continued support.”
Dr. Gold said the latest gift continues the Scotts’ commitment to improving the educational environment for students and making UNMC a world class academic health science center.
In addition to Dr. Gold and Ruth Scott, speakers at the ceremony included:
- Jayme Nekuda, Ph.D., interim director of human resources at UNMC.
- Krupa Savalia, an M.D./Ph.D. student and current president of the UNMC Student Senate.
- Eric Nagengast, fourth-year medical student and grandson of the Scotts.
“These types of facilities ultimately are a terrific investment that potential students and employees look for when considering where to go to work and school,” Nekuda said. “I’m confident that this will inspire even more students and employees to use the facility.”
A group of UNMC students, including Nagengast, was instrumental in providing input on what elements the students wanted in the new fitness facilities.
Medical centers are all about good health, Nagengast pointed out, adding that it must start with employees and students. “It’s amazing what we can get done together,” he said.
“We have strengthened UNMC and made the campus life experience better for those who will follow us.”
Thank you to the Scotts! This project will make have such a great impact on life at UNMC.
As a 32 year member of the Student Life Center, I would like to thank Ruth and Bill Scott for this wonderful gift, and for their awesome generosity to our campus. How proud and so fitting was the speech given by their grandson, Eric Nagengast. Thank you Scotts. – Steve Brown
“I have witnessed the transition of the fitness facilities on campus from a gym with a tile floor to this new Student Life Center with a vast array of fitness and recreational opportunities for the entire campus. What a way to balance the day, body and mind.”
“This facility is very important to help our students stay well physically, healthy students make better learners.”
“Keeping physically active is such an important part of leading a healthy and productive life, I can't think of a better gift for the UNMC community than an improved fitness center.”
If you have been here long enough…you have worked out in Conklin Hall, then the Good Shepard gym, then NPI rec facility and finally the Center For Healthy Living. What is coming next is not only long over due, but will be absolutely outstanding!
Thank you Bill and Ruth Scott
Keith Swarts
The Scotts are simply amazing. As Dr. Gold said at the event, their generosity has "transformed" UNMC. This donation to enhance the fitness center should have positive repercussions for all students and employees who use the facility. What a gift!