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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Ninety-two years ago at the then-Oregon Agricultural College, Linus Pauling began a scientific career that spanned more than seven decades and resulted in two Nobel Prizes.

His legacy, which now includes the Linus Pauling Institute and its vital research on micronutrients and disease prevention, continues on Sept. 25 when OSU will celebrate the commencement of construction of its new Linus Pauling Science Center.

The public event will begin at 4 p.m. with opening remarks from Balz Frei, director of the Linus Pauling Institute. Other speakers at the construction launch include OSU Foundation President & CEO J. Michael Goodwin, OSU President Edward J. Ray, Campaign for OSU Co-Chair Patricia J. Reser, Oregon Speaker of the House Dave Hunt, Oregon University System Chancellor George Pernsteiner, OSU student Kelsie E. Warner, and College of Science Dean Sherman Bloomer.

The new $62.5 million building, which will be more than 100,000 square feet, is located at the corner of Campus Way and 30th Street, next to existing science facilities. It is the largest academic building project in OSU's history and the centerpiece initiative of The Campaign for OSU. Funding for the new facility represents a public/private partnership including $31.25 million in state bonds, a $20 million grant from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation, and a gift of $10.65 million from Al Reser '60 and Pat Reser '60. In addition, some 2,600 other donors have made gifts totaling more than $21 million to support the educational and research programs that will be housed in the building.

OSU's partners on the construction of the new building include Andersen Construction Company, Inc. and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects.

Frei said the Linus Pauling Science Center will create a nexus of faculty and students to bolster innovation, learning, and discovery.

"This remarkable facility will honor the legacy of Linus Pauling, as well as provide high-tech laboratory and teaching space that will enable our faculty and students to push the frontiers of science and make groundbreaking advancements in health research," he said.

Scheduled for completion in June 2011, the Linus Pauling Science Center will house the nationally renowned Linus Pauling Institute and chemists from the College of Science. The center will also contain classroom and laboratory space for undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers studying chemistry, biochemistry, and the life sciences. Approximately 10,000 OSU students, more than half the student body, take chemistry courses each year.

Renowned for its work in orthomolecular medicine - a field Linus Pauling pioneered - the Linus Pauling Institute studies the use of micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, to promote optimum health and prevent disease. It was one of the first two Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine designated by the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.