NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College in New Wilmington is growing.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday afternoon for the expansion of the Hoyt Science Center.

The three-story addition is part of a greater $20 million renovation of the building which addresses the growing number of STEM students taking interest in Westminster.

"Right now about 30 percent of our students major in one of the fields represented in that stem portfolio and every one of our students takes multiple courses in mathematics and science so this building will literally touch every Westminster student," said College President, Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson.

The new wing will provide six new teaching labs, three research labs, ten faculty offices and student spaces. It's something those STEM students, in particular, are looking forward to.

"I'm often in the chemistry lab and we are getting a completely new chemistry lab so that will be really exciting. new instrumentation, a lot more workspace, it will really add to the research side," said Westminster Senior, Troy Holden.

Junior nursing major, Megan Parker, said, "The atmosphere and the environment is very aesthetically pleasing so people actually want to actually learn here."

While the state is providing about four and a half million dollars for the project, much of the funding comes from proud alumni and other donors.

"We have 50 different donors ranging from 5, 6, 7 figure commitments that are making this vision a reality. We couldn't be more thankful to them," according to Matthew Stinson, VP for Institutional Advancement.

The new addition is expected to be completed in 2021.