Through a generous gift by Columbia College alumna, Janice McNair, and her husband Robert, the new Barbara Bush Center for Science and Technology was dedicated on October 30, 1997, in honor of former First Lady, Barbara Bush. The new building is a combination of a major renovation of the former Reeves Science Building and a new wing to more than double the floor area, housing teaching and research laboratories for Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences. The existing Reeves building, constructed in 1960, previously housed all classrooms, offices and teaching laboratories for the science department. The integrated building provides space to combine the Science, Mathematics and Business programs under the same roof. In addition to providing modern teaching laboratories, spacious classrooms and faculty offices, the building also houses several specialized faculty research laboratories which never before existed on campus. The Barbara Bush Center has become a major focal point on campus, and since its completion in 1997 the college has experienced a significant increase in new science majors as well as attracting new and talented faculty.

This $7M (approx.) project is notable for its rapid programming, design and construction schedule. The project duration was a quick 14 months from start of preliminary programming to building occupancy.

David S. Tobin, AIA, was Lead Designer, Project Architect and Manager as well as Construction Administrator for the project.