STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math
The Schoenecker Center
The university's home for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education opened in February 2024 as a hub for innovative education, unprecedented collaboration and transformational progress in tackling the big problems.
The Schoenecker Center is the university's central home for STEAM education. The first-of-its-kind space brings together the arts, sciences, engineering and innovation in one integrated facility. It is a national model for bolder, more interdisciplinary learning.
The learning that takes place in the Schoenecker Center infuses creativity, innovation and flexible thinking by eliminating silos between traditionally separate academic departments.
At St. Thomas, we prepare tomorrow's leaders to work with people from other fields and disciplines. The Schoenecker Center fuels innovation and provides a home for powerful training in these critical skills for our students.
The center reshapes the liberal arts foundation essential to St. Thomas student success, and their future careers.
Spontaneous interaction and collaboration between people are critical to the emergence of creative, practical ideas that work in the real world. We’ve found that for people to work differently, they need a different environment...one that inspires creativity, collaboration and experimentation – what is referred to as collaborative creativity.
Ashish Khandpur, PhD, Executive Vice President, Transportation & Electronics Business Group at 3M and former member of the St. Thomas Board of Trustees
Interdisciplinary Learning is Alive and Thriving
With more than 130,000 square feet, the five-story facility houses dedicated spaces for the arts, engineering and sciences.
"By bringing these disciplines together in one majestic building, by facilitating the integration of knowledge, we have created a venue where every day our students will be empowered to discern how their gifts and passions and values and life experiences come together to connect with the world's needs in meaningful ways." - President Rob Vischer
Grand Atrium
When you walk into the multi-purpose atrium of the Schoenecker Center, you are transported to a living expression of St. Thomas’ academic mission: a physical space that encourages interaction, not isolation. This space is home to our stunning sculpture, Portal Icosahedron, by artist Anthony James.
Iversen High Bay
The Iversen High Bay is an area for complex large-scale experimental research, student demonstrations that supplement conceptual lecture content, and student engineering design competitions. It allows students to work with materials as they behave in their built environment and gain knowledge through hands-on work.
John P. Monahan Gallery
All benefit from the new art gallery with rotating displays highlighting works from our students and pieces from the university's vast collection of sacred art and modern works.
Sarah Rose Hall Instrumental Rehearsal
Accessed from the lower level, the two-level instrumental rehearsal space is uniquely designed to be viewed from the main level and outside from Summit Avenue through large arched windows.
Ruth and Henry Nachtsheim Chemistry Suite
The Nachtsheim Chemistry Suite transforms how the Department of Chemistry collaborates with partners across campus and educates students in the chemical sciences. The laboratories will primarily be used for two relatively new interdisciplinary courses – Engineering Chemistry and Nursing Chemistry – and will expand opportunities for students across campus to engage in the chemical sciences.
Choral Performance Hall
The much-needed performance space serves student musicians for practice and performances. The flexible design allows students and community partners to repurpose the space at any time.
Emerging Media Newsroom
More diverse perspectives and storytelling happens when we collectively house ThreeSixty Journalism, Tommie Media and other emerging journalists.
Henry and Angelena Blattner Robotics Lab
The Henry and Angelena Blattner Robotics Lab is a dedicated space for robotics and automation research, as well as hands-on experiential learning. The lab is essential for creating new avenues for industrial collaboration and research in the growing fields of advanced manufacturing.
Dr. Bernice Folz Science and Engineering Collaboration Hub
The future demands workspace, lab space and collaborative space that brings students together in cross-disciplinary teams. The design allows a new kind of collaboration among students and faculty and creates a hub of innovation.
Meet the Benefactors
Generous and visionary donors make it possible for skilled and inspired students to positively impact their communities and solve complex real-world problems.
Guy and Barbara Schoenecker, Schoeneckers Foundation
Lead Donors
"The Schoenecker family has always believed in the power of the type of life-changing educational experiences our students gain from St. Thomas." - President Rob Vischer
Guy and Barbara Schoenecker are well-known names at St. Thomas. Their family's philanthropic impact supported the construction of important spaces on campus, including the new Schoenecker Center, and transformative gifts to St. Thomas scholarships.
Guy Schoenecker was a 1949 St. Thomas graduate and founder of BI WORLDWIDE, an international business loyalty and incentive company. He served on the university's Board of Trustees for 30 years.
