PHOTOS: New Drew University facility
![Richard W. Lindstrom, director of academic infrastructure development at Charles Drew University of School and Medicine, checks to see if a "pregnant" mannequin is, in fact, pregnant. Lindstrom was touring the classrooms for the first time since the new Life Sciences Research and Nursing Education building at Charles Drew University poplulated them with mannequins as part of their education.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/04c0d65/2147483647/strip/true/crop/600x401+0+0/resize/600x401!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2F97%2F29e5befa769df284cd5d160febac%2Fla-me-drew-nursing5-l74bkinc.jpg)
Richard W. Lindstrom, director of academic infrastructure development at Charles Drew University of School and Medicine, checks to see if a “pregnant” mannequin is, in fact, pregnant. Lindstrom was touring the classrooms for the first time since the new Life Sciences Research and Nursing Education building at Charles Drew University poplulated them with mannequins as part of their education. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
![Tour](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4130bf4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/600x401+0+0/resize/600x401!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1f%2Ffe%2Fb811456cefe58a88a0d69813f53d%2Fla-me-drew-nursing6-l74bj7nc.jpg)
A group of supporters is guided through one of the classrooms at the new Life Sciences Research and Nursing Education building at Charles Drew University. Equipped with mannequins for hands-on teaching, the back of the classroom replicates a hospital floor. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
![Assembled guests](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/56aa3d0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/600x401+0+0/resize/600x401!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2F72%2Fd525b7f71fa3d2e61c8e4f94c911%2Fla-me-drew-nursing1-l74bi9nc.jpg)
A crowd gathers inside the new Life Sciences Research and Nursing Education building at Charles Drew University. Classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 23. Drew University is based in Willowbrook, south of Watts. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
![Doctor and cousin](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7c33982/2147483647/strip/true/crop/600x401+0+0/resize/600x401!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2Fe2%2F51a1979b17e9d13968083d48ddad%2Fla-me-drew-nursing2-l74bhqnc.jpg)
Incoming dean Gloria J. McNeal, left, shares a laugh with her cousin Diane Graham during the unveiling of the new Life Sciences Research and Nursing Education building at Charles Drew University. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
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![New facility](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b4255a3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/600x401+0+0/resize/600x401!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2F90%2F2955f4dc169984ee07913c23c788%2Fla-me-drew-nursing3-l74bgcnc.jpg)
Supporters gather outside the new Life Sciences Research and Nursing Education building at Charles Drew University before the ribbon cutting ceremony Friday. Even as the doors open this month on the new $43-million building to house the inaugural nursing class at the university, the university’s interim president warned that the long-struggling institution is already in danger of losing the facility. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
![Baby mannequin](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a79cd7a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/600x401+0+0/resize/600x401!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff7%2Fa2%2F1d0fa0a79699ec4eb603f7d89f9c%2Fla-me-drew-nursing4-l74bjznc.jpg)
With classes scheduled to begin Aug. 23, the new facility at Drew University features a neonatal intensive care unit, which includes this mannequin of a baby. Beginning in September, the university will be forced to begin burning through a reserve fund to make loan payments, Dr. Keith C. Norris, Drew’s interim president, said. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)