The university’s newest addition, the National Polymer Innovation Center, was unveiled at a Sept. 14 groundbreaking ceremony during which dignitaries and guests signed the facility’s first construction beam. Pictured from left to right: The Hon. Donald Plusquellic, mayor, City of Akron; Ted Curtis, UA vice president of capital planning and facility management; Dr. Stephen Cheng, dean, UA College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering; Dr. Luis Proenza, UA president;  Ohio Sen. Tom Sawyer, UA alumnus; and Dr. Frank Douglas, president and CEO of the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron. The 42,750-square-foot center is scheduled for June 2010 completion.