Melissa Henrichon Fellows ’01 helped design
the new, green science building. And by “green” of course,
we don’t mean the color of the paint or siding.
As a biology and environmental studies major, Melissa
joined the team of faculty, staff, and architects who were planning St.
Lawrence’s new science facilities. According
to Professor Tom Greene, who shepherded the committee through most
of its design work, “Melissa really set the standard or student
participation” by researching and authoring a paper that encouraged
sustainable architectural design. The committee, and
eventually the trustees, heard her loud and clear, say Professor
Greene. “Perhaps no single effort was more important
in guiding the philosophy of the new building.”
And Melissa saw the first shovels digging into the ground of “her”
building, when the Johnson
Hall of Science construction project began in May 2005.
The new $36 million facility will open in September 2007 and thanks
to Melissa’s work, expects to qualify for LEEDs
certification as an environmentally sustainable building.
Melissa now teaches science at Crossett Brook Middle School. Her
lucky students are encouraged by their teacher “to get involved
with the school and change the way things are done, because they
can make a difference,” she asserts.
Melissa took her own advice at St. Lawrence…in
addition to being on the science project planning committee, she includes
on her collegiate resume membership in Habitat for Humanity, the Nordic
varsity ski team, the Alpine Ski Race Club, Omicron Delta
Kappa leadership honorary, Phi Beta Kappa national honor
society, Who's Who Among College Students, and the Student Art Union.
She also studied abroad in Denmark.
