George and Mary Turek Hall of Science features robotics lab, engineering lab, observatory; 100 percent donor-funded
NOVI — Detroit Catholic Central High School dedicated a state-of-the-art science building on its Novi campus Aug. 11 leaders say will put it a cut above the rest when it comes to STEM education at the secondary level.
The George and Mary Turek Hall of Science is a 57,000-square-foot building with eight science labs, an engineering lab, a full-sized robotics competition field and an adjacent machine shop that donors and school leaders say will be the envy of every high school, and most colleges, in Michigan.
“By any standard of measurement, our new Hall of Science has broken from the past and will forge a new playing field for teaching the sciences at the secondary level, and dare I say, the university level,” said George Turek, a 1966 graduate of Catholic Central and principal donor to the project.
Turek and other Catholic Central leaders and guests spoke at a dedication ceremony that included dignitaries from across the country, performances from the Catholic Central marching band and glee club, and even a flyover from four planes.
The George and Mary Turek Hall of Science, named after George’s parents, is part of a larger project Catholic Central has planned to bring updates to the school, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2028.
“Catholic Central, fondly known as ‘CC,’ was founded as an all-boys high school by the Basilian Fathers in Detroit in 1928,” George Turek said. “The order is named for St. Basil, a Greek. It was established in France in 1822 and is known for (its) teaching and missionary work. Their motto for the last two centuries: 'Teach me discipline, goodness and knowledge.'
“The old standard for teaching science, technology, engineering, mathematics, aviation, computer science — and dare I say, even e-sports — has been shattered in one fell swoop,” George Turek continued. “We refuse to repeat the past. We honor the past and architectural style of our STEM building, and academically we represent only the future.”
The new building is 100 percent donor-funded and used no tuition dollars, said Ed Turek (no relation to George Turek), president of Catholic Central, who thanked a long list of donors, contractors, subcontractors, vendors and volunteers who made the project possible.
“We built this remarkable building as part of our Vision 100 Plan, to make sure Catholic Central continues to be successful for the next 100 years,” Ed Turek said. “We built it so it will keep attracting all types of good students and give those students the very best education, the best knowledge, the best hands-on experience, so they can go out and make a difference.”
The George and Mary Turek Hall of Science makes an impression right away as visitors enter the building, with a Blue Angels aircraft hanging overhead a competitive robotics floor space.
The second floor features a computer lab, science labs, an engineering lab, a state-of-the-art greenhouse, telescope and observatory, and a 270-degree immersion lecture hall that seats 100 students.
The building also hosts a complete aviation flight school, capable of turning students into FAA-certified commercial pilots upon graduation from Catholic Central.
“Imagine one day a CC graduate may discover the cure for cancer, a way to stop another pandemic, a way to cure hunger, a mathematical equation to save the planet, anything to make our world better,” George Turek said. “A CC grad may be part of that journey, and that journey will begin here. CC is not thinking about the future, CC is the future.”
Marcus Luttrell, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions in June 2005 in Afghanistan during Operation Red Wings — an engagement later depicted in the film “Lone Survivor,” where Luttrell is played by Mark Wahlberg — was a guest speaker at the ceremony.
“How about that flyover,” Luttrell began, to much applause, as planes made three passes over the ceremony. “In our world, we call those angels — anything in the air we call an angel. And if they are flying overhead, that’s a good thing for us. If they make more than one pass, that is a good thing; normally they don’t like to stick around.”
Luttrell spoke about his time in the military and life after the service and encouraged Catholic Central students to be grateful for the opportunities they have been given through this donation and the people who made it possible.
“I want you to look around at your parents and the people behind you and realize how much they love you to build you something like this,” Luttrell said. “Most everyone out here who are sitting behind you today are wearing these sunglasses because they have too many black eyes. Because most of our generation has been beaten to death; most of us started with nothing and came from nothing to build something like this.”
Luttrell told the young Shamrock students to take the opportunity they have been given to develop their minds and build a better future, and help build that future for the people who will come after them.
“We’ve created a facility for you that not only trains your body and your mind, but also trains your spirit; there are not a lot of those around,” Luttrell said. “Some of you might think of this place as a blessing, but when you get your gifts first, you will have to road test them, and that is what we are all going to watch you do. We are going to load you up with everything we can stick inside that head of yours. We are going to mold your body into something you can’t even imagine, and we are going to sharpen that spirit, so when you do walk out (at graduation), you will be that special operator, that spiritual Navy SEAL, when you graduate from this place.”
George Turek said the George and Mary Turek Hall of Science is just one example of what Catholic Central can bring to its 300-acre campus to provide a stellar education to any young man who wants it.
It's a mission started by the Basilian Fathers at Catholic Central almost 100 years ago, and a mission that will continue for another 100.
“Our objective is only one: produce leaders,” George Turek said. “The George and Mary Turek Hall of Science is only the beginning of the beginning. It is a great way to kick-start an exciting year. We are all super excited. Everyone is proud to be part of something special like this. We know we are on the right track, we feel it, and we are going for it.
“Catholic Central’s first 100 years were great. Our second will be spectacular,” George Turek added. “We are committed to excellence, both in the classroom and on the field, and we are 100 percent dedicated to producing men with ethics, morals, values and character who will lead our nation into the future.”
Copy Permalink
