Corange Limited, the Bermuda-based parent company of Boehringer Mannheim and DePuy, recently donated $1 million to the Bermuda College for the establishment of the Corange Science Centre. The gift will be directed toward equipping four modern laboratories in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology/General Science, the creation of a Corange Teaching Chair, designed to encourage the highest standards of teaching excellence in the sciences; and to Corange Merit Scholarships, to reward early achievement in the sciences by students entering Bermuda College, according to general manager of Corange Limited Mr. Adolf Luttke. The Corange Science Centre's four laboratories will be fitted with the most up-to-date equipment and instructional aids and services, and will provide instructional support for Bermuda College's programmes and courses. The Science Centre will further afford future opportunities for collaboration in the sciences with other local and overseas institutions. The Corange Science Teaching Chair will be the first faculty teaching chair at the College. Proceeds will enhance the quality of instruction and instructional tools in the Centre as well as the academic and professional development of faculty teaching in the Centre. The Corange Merit Scholarships will allow secondary students to enter a competitive programme for awards during the course of their secondary school studies and earn financial credits toward the payment of their fees when they later enter Bermuda College. Since the scholarships are aimed at rewarding early achievement, they will have an uplifting effect in the standards of achievement in the secondary schools and, therefore, in Bermuda College, according to Bermuda College public relations officer Ms Jan Doidge. Mr. Curt Engelhorn, Chairman Emeritus, Corange, said the $1 million gift will advance science education at the Bermuda College into the 21st century. "As a company committed to life science research, it is our hope that the Corange Science Centre will not only advance the frontiers of scientific study in Bermuda but will motivate Bermudian students to pursue careers in the exciting field of science. Lifelong learnings plays a vital role in shaping a community's best natural resource -- its students and future leaders. The creation of the Corange Science Centre at Bermuda College is a natural extension of the work we do worldwide and of the on-going support we have shown this community since our incorporation here in 1969,'' he said. Mr. Luttke noted the Chairman of Bermuda College, Dr. James King applauded Corange Ltd and the exemplary partnership it has shown the community. Dr. King accepted the donation on behalf of the College on October 8, 1994. He said: "Funds for the Corange Science Centre will be employed in such a way that their impact will be continuous and long lasting. They will contribute directly to improved quality of instruction and standards of achievement in the sciences. The donation will bestow benefits on the entire community, which, while impossible to measure, are profound. On behalf of the Board of Directors, our staff and all our students, we extend our deepest gratitude to Corange for this most worthy of donations.'' Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan also commended the Corange/Bermuda College partnership and said it forges a new and lasting bond between the local community and the international community. "Corange's commitment to Bermuda College testifies in a very tangible way to their commitment to the future of Bermuda and her people. The gift of learning is one of the greatest gifts one can offer a community and this donation, together with this partnership, is a ground-breaking event of utmost significance, both to Bermuda College and the community,'' he said. To celebrate the event, a ceremony and private dinner, hosted by Bermuda College and Corange, was held at the College on October 8, 1994. Bermudian Dr. Malcolm Brock, an internationally respected medical researcher and MD at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and a 1981/1982 Bermuda College student, was the guest speaker. After the Corange Science Centre was officially opened at the Stonington Campus of Bermuda College on November 1, 1994, Mr. Engelhorn said: "Corange Ltd. is delighted to be in partnership with Bermuda College. We all recognise that excellence of instruction and high standards of achievement in the sciences are vital to our future ... Corange is very happy to see the opening of this fine facility with the opportunities it offers to Bermuda's students.'' Secondary school principles, guidance counsellors and science teachers were among those invited to join College faculty, staff and students at the opening ceremony. Following the opening, guests were able to tour the Centre and see science experiments being conducted by Bermuda College faculty and students.

Corange Limited donates $1 million Boehringer Mannheim and Depuy, a privately-held company that markets healthcare products and services in more than 150 countries. Corange holds leading positions in the vital areas of life science development and healthcare. The diagnostic division, Boehringer Mannheim-Diagnostics, is the second largest producer of in vitro diagnostics in the world. DePuy is the number one supplier of hip replacements worldwide. Corange Limited's corporate roots in Bermuda date back to 1969 when Corange, one of the most diversified, privately owned, health care companies in the world, began expanding operations. Mr. Luttke said the $1-million contribution to Bermuda College in celebration of Corange's 25th anniversary would be expended within five years at $200,000 annually. But he noted that Corange had more to give than financial assistance. "I envision that in partnership with the Bermuda College, we could bring certain high power scientists (like Mr. Brock) to the Island. "They can stimulate scientific thinking and discussions and trigger scientific enthusiasm.'' In his keynote speech to celebrate the Corange donation, Mr. Brock talked about the shortage of transplant organs such as the heart. He said that pigs were being injected with human genes and studied for their compatibility to human organs in an effort to overcome the organ shortage. As well, an acclaimed professor had planned to visit the Island in February to talk about gene mapping. He will not make it this month, said Mr.

Luttke. "But this is the kind of information we as a globally operating health care company have access to,'' he said. Mr. Luttke noted that a lot more is going on scientifically in Bermuda than people realise. "It is very fragmented. In the west end, you have the Maritime Museum and in the east end, you have the Biological Station. Somewhere in between is the Aquarium. "The scientists need to get together on a structural basis and share what they are doing with one another. I would like to see Corange act as the platform for this,'' he said. "If the scientists were to share information in a panel discussion, students could learn and realise there's a lot of scientific study being done in Bermuda.'' Clearly Corange's partnership with the Bermuda College as well as other Bermudian organisations will be long-lasting. And even though their gift to the community renders no returns on their behalf, the firm's generosity plainly demonstrates their willingness to invest in the future leaders of this Island. PHOTO CORANGE SCIENCE CENTRE -- (from left) Chairman of Emeritus Corange Mr. Curt Engelhorn, Deputy Chairman of Bermuda College Board of Governors Mr. Kim White, Bermuda College President Dr. George Cook and Corange general manager Mr. Adolf Luttke pictured at the opening of the new science centre.

HIGH-TECH -- Ms Amber James uses a new microscope in the biology lab.