Timeline for the LKSC

Stanford EdTech

Plans for the medical school's education building began more than a decade ago.

1998

April — In granting the School of Medicine a seven-year accreditation renewal, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education raises concerns about the inadequacy of the school’s physical facilities. Similar criticisms had been raised in 1983 and 1991.

1999

April — The LCME warns that it nearly placed the school on probation because of its educational facilities.

October — The university’s Board of Trustees approves a plan for a new education building. Because it involves the Grant, Alway, Lane and Edwards buildings, it is known as GALE.

2001

March — Incoming Dean Philip Pizzo, MD, terminates the GALE project and launches a new process to ensure development of a first-rate educational building and library facilities. The LCME agrees to give the school time to develop a new plan.

2002–2004

A building plan is developed for the project, now known as Stanford Medicine Information and Learning Environment, or SMILE. A new and critical factor is the integration of high-technology educational systems throughout the building. Considerable effort is devoted to determining the building layout and space allocation.

2005

October — The Board of Trustees gives conceptual approval for the building, now called the Learning and Knowledge Center. It is to be located on the site occupied by Fairchild Auditorium.

2006

March — NBBJ is selected as the architecture firm to design the LKC.

2007

February — The Board of Trustees approves the LKC schematic design.

November — Demolition of Fairchild Auditorium begins.

2008

April — Ground is broken for the educational building that will be known as the Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge after its major benefactor, Hong Kong entrepreneur Li Ka-shing.

2010

March — The dean’s offices move into the new building.

May — Students begin using some of the educational spaces in the building.

September — The LKSC has its grand opening.