The University Creamery, famous for its one-of-a-kind ice cream flavors, will find a new home, and possibly a new name, within the next few years.

A new food science building, which will include the Creamery, will be built on the corner of Bigler and Curtin roads. The university approved plans for the new facility in 1997.

The construction, expected to cost $22 million, will hopefully be in its ground breaking stages in 2002, said Nick Ferrara, director of development in the Agriculture Department.

The state will contribute $18 million to the project but the remaining $4 million will be contributed privately from corporations and private individuals. The university already has raised $1.6 million privately, Ferrara said.

Nineteen research labs, two teaching labs, two teaching classrooms, two conference rooms, work spaces and administration offices are available to make a contribution in someone's namesake. The Penn State Board of Trustees makes the decision of naming a building or any part of a building regardless of private or corporate donors.

No donations have been made yet, but Ferrara said there have been discussions with alumni.

John Floros, head of food science, said he is not aware of any restrictions regarding possible donations. He said after all donations are in, the prospective donors will be looked at very closely. The donation will have to be approved by both the college and university for the benefit of the department.

Built in 1932, Borland Laboratory, the current home to the department and the Creamery, is inadequate to meet technical demands. Penn State's first rate food science program deserves a first rate facility, Ferrara said.

Some students feel the Creamery should retain the same name. Shane Toolan (senior-environmental resource management) said, "There is too much history behind it all."

Toolan would rather see the new home of the Creamery named for a past university president, or alumnus, as opposed to a large corporation.

Matthew Schappell, a 1995 graduate, said he believes any major landmark, such as the Creamery, should be named after notable alumni, past presidents or professors who have gained respect from their peers.

Ferrara, however, said the Creamery will always be the Creamery. "We are absolutely confident to reach the $22 million to build the new food science building," he said.

As far as the old Borland Lab, Ferrara said he is not sure what will be done with the building, and that it might go back to the university.