New science building fully evolves

The new science building, a $64 million addition to campus, officially opened for student use this semester.

"Every aspect about the building lends itself to education about the sciences," said James Street, vice president of capital planning and facilities management.

The building's emphasis is on the labs. All labs in the building are designed for students to listen to lectures and work on experimentation at the same time, Street said.

One important aspect of the design that has remained throughout the process are the lobby-lounge areas located throughout the building.

"There was great emphasis made on making it attractive and an attractive gathering space for students and faculty," Street said. "The notion is to make the sciences not seem so sterile, but something one can go in, embrace and become a part of."

Since the opening this semester, the building has performed well.

"So far, so good," Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy Marco Ciocca said. "We've had some growing pains, but that's to be expected."

Ciocca said he is very pleased with the building, especially in comparison to Moore.

"In here we are not freezing or dying of heat," Ciocca said. "So that is good."

Overall, the large windows have been the highlight for him.

"You can see sunlight which makes everybody feel better," Ciocca said. "The students never saw the light of day in Moore."

The differences between the outdated Moore building and the new Science building are overwhelming, especially in the technology the building offers, Street said.

"There's a scale solar system there, which floors me to this day," Street said. "I've seen scale models of the solar system and the scale geologic models since I was a child and every time I see it I'm amazed."

Students like Jake Williams, 20, pre-pharmacy and chemistry major from Corbin, are impressed with the new building.

"It puts the rest of the campus to shame," said Williams.