Curie Hall Dedication

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less

On November 18, 2021, over 200 virtual and 50 in-person guests participated in the Marie and Pierre Curie Hall Dedication Ceremony. President Ed Feasel opened the ceremony by highlighting the SUA alumni who encouraged SUA to add a Life Sciences concentration to support students interested in health fields. He also thanked donors around the world who made it possible to build the state-of-the-art 90,000 square foot science building.

Curie Hall has eight teaching labs and classrooms, 11 research labs, 18 faculty offices, collaborative work spaces and conference rooms, and the large conference room where the ceremony was held.

After the welcome from Dr. Feasel and Soka Student Union president Yuka Hombo, a series of SUA faculty members and students shared their excitement about the new facilities and curriculum that will allow students to prepare for careers in medicine, life sciences, and related fields. Sergio Prince, representing Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, then presented Dr. Feasel with a Certificate of Recognition for the Dedication of Marie and Pierre Curie Hall, sharing this quote from Marie Curie: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”

Marie Curie became the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize when she was honored in Physics in 1903 along with her husband Pierre. She received a second Nobel in Chemistry in 1911. President Feasel noted in the university founder Daisaku Ikeda’s 2003 welcome message to the third undergraduate class, Mr. Ikeda highlighted the life and accomplishments of Madame Curie and shared her words that: “Each of us must work for our own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity.” President Feasel expressed his hope that students in Curie Hall will graduate with a commitment to serve humanity based on their studies in the life sciences, just as Marie Curie did, and that her name on this building and her statue will continue to serve as great inspiration for all of us of what is possible as a global citizen striving to live a contributive life.