GROVE CITY — The plaza in front of Grove City College’s new STEM Hall on Thursday was filled with alumni, administrators and faculty for the building’s dedication.

The $39.5 million building, which is the college’s new science, engineering and mathematics building, is 68,000 square feet and has 12 labs, 18 offices and a vivarium for plant and animal research. The building also features floor to ceiling SageGlass windows that tint as the sun shines.

It was designed by Ballinger of Philadelphia, and the general contractor was PJ Dick of Pittsburgh.

It is a part of the $90 million capital campaign “Grove City Matters,” the largest in the college’s history. The campaign, which started in 2011, has six objectives and has raised $69 million so far.

College President Richard Jewell referenced the speeches of past college presidents and administrators, who stressed the importance of science education.

“It couldn’t be put any better today,” Jewell said.

STEM Hall is phase one of a project. During the next capital campaign, Rockwell Hall of Science, built in 1931, will be torn down and replaced by a new building that will connect with STEM Hall, allowing all of the science and technology departments to be in the same place.

“That’s out in the future,” Jewell said.

David Rathburn, chairman of the college’s board of trustees, said the first U.S. president he remembers is John Kennedy, who challenged the country to achieve in science and technology. This could not happen without good education, he said.

He said the objective of the building is to continue to train students in the college’s style.

“Now, we can do that in an environment that’s second to none,” Rathburn said, noting the older science building lacked lab and classroom space.

John Moore, college president from 1996 to 2003, said the building was “really spectacular.”

“All I can say is wow,” Moore said.

He said Jewell recognized the importance of science and technology education at the college.

Moore said 40 percent of all economic growth is due to technological progress.

“In my opinion, it’s only going to become more important in the future,” Moore said.

About 35 percent of the college’s 2,500 students are enrolled in the Albert A. Hopeman School of Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

Other objectives for the Grove City Matters campaign include the $5 million Rathburn Hall, $30 million for scholarships, $5 million each for the Center for Vision and Values and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and $10 million in unrestricted funds.