University of Minnesota celebrates grand opening of world-class undergraduate chemistry facility

More than 5,000 University of Minnesota undergraduate students each year are now benefiting from a transformed chemistry education, made possible through investments by the State of Minnesota, generous donors and the institution itself. 

The University of Minnesota community and state officials will celebrate the dedication and grand opening of the Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories in a ceremony and ribbon cutting today. The transformative project reimagined the nearly 100-year-old Fraser Hall on the University’s Twin Cities campus. 

“The dedication of our Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories at Fraser Hall represents a landmark investment in the University of Minnesota’s students, and Minnesota’s future workforce,” said President Rebecca Cunningham. “As leaders, it is our job to give students the tools and spaces they need to achieve their full potential, and this does exactly that. I am grateful to our state’s elected leaders for continuing to strategically invest in modern infrastructure to support our world-class university, which in turn improves the lives of Minnesotans, the nation and world.”

The project was made possible because of state investment – $3.3 million for design in 2020 and $92.6 million for renovation in 2023. Through private philanthropy and other investments, the University contributed the remaining funds for the $144.7 million project. 

The cutting-edge facility, which fully opened for fall 2025 classes, provides modern teaching laboratories designed to prepare students to be future leaders who will drive innovation, strengthen healthcare and address global challenges in sustainability. It houses 18 active learning labs; tutoring and informal student collaboration spaces; and general purpose classrooms.

“This space is built for how students actually learn today,” said Tucker Besel, a Ph.D. candidate in chemical physics and chemistry teaching assistant. “The old chemistry labs were crowded, noisy and outdated — students struggled to hear over the outdated fume hoods, let alone collaborate. The new design encourages teamwork and critical thinking, not just memorizing steps. It’s a space that reflects the caliber of science, teaching and innovation at the University of Minnesota.”

The building’s 117,000-square-feet support a key part of the University’s core undergraduate curriculum. Students who are now using the labs, academic support and collaborative learning spaces represent more than 120 academic majors — roughly one-third of all Twin Cities students will take chemistry and other courses in this building.

The project represents the institution’s commitment to securing its future as a world-class university by strategically investing in its talented workforce, operations and facilities, an imperative in the University’s new strategic roadmap.  

About the University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota System, with campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and the Twin Cities, is driven by a singular vision of excellence. We are proud of our land-grant mission of world-class education, groundbreaking research, and community-engaged outreach, and we are unified in our drive to serve Minnesota. Visit system.umn.edu.

About the College of Science and Engineering
The University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering brings together the University’s programs in engineering, physical sciences, mathematics and computer science into one college. The college is ranked among the top academic programs in the country and includes 12 academic departments offering a wide range of degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. Learn more at cse.umn.edu.