The Seattle University Board of Trustees has named the Center for Science and Innovation after Jim and Janet Sinegal, whose relationship with the university spans more than a quarter decade.

The Jim and Janet Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation is scheduled for completion in May 2021 and will open for the start of fall quarter.

Jim Sinegal is the co-founder of Costco and has been involved with Seattle U for the past 27 years. He served as chair of the Board of Trustees, co-chaired the last capital campaign, is honorary co-chair for The Campaign for the Uncommon Good, is a co-founder of the Seattle University Youth Initiative and a co-founder of the Costco Scholarship Fund, which benefits underrepresented students at Seattle University and the University of Washington. Together, Jim and Janet have served as Seattle U Gala chairs and have supported the university’s College of Nursing, including the Clinical Performance Laboratory.

“Together they have been some of the most generous and involved citizens of our region,” says President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. “We are thrilled the Sinegals have accepted that our university bears their family name.” 

“I am delighted that the names of Jim and Janet Sinegal will be on our new building. They are pillars of our community and great friends to Seattle University,” says Michael J. Quinn, dean of the College of Science and Engineering.

When completed, the Jim and Janet Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation will become the exciting new gateway to campus. In state-of-the-art laboratories, biology and chemistry students will learn by doing and engage in research projects under the mentorship of their professors. Computer science students will complete industry-sponsored design projects. Co-locating these departments will create new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations.

Named spaces, including the Amazon Computer Science Project Center, the Microsoft Café and the Art and Dorothy Oberto Commons, are also part of the new building. Additionally, a campus makerspace, the Center for Community Engagement and student radio station KXSU-FM will be housed here.

Learn more about Seattle U’s next era of STEM education.