In 2005, the university is expected to open a state-of-the-art biotechnological sciences
center.The University is also attempting to collect donations to create a chair position for what will be the Simon D. Perry Academic Program on Constitutional
Democracy. It is It is designed to study the impact of major American constitution builders and the role of constitutional
democracy in the evolution of America’s political and civic life. The program includes four new core courses developed by
Perry, as well as 18 other courses offered in a variety of academic disciplines including history, English, philosophy,
sociology and political science. The Gilley Scholar, named for former Marshall president J. Wade Gilley, will be a full-time
professor assigned to the program.