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Olney Central College will unveil its newly renovated science labs during an Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. on October 20 in Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall.
“We are excited to showcase the state-of-the-art science labs and celebrate what they will mean for our students and our faculty,” said OCC President Chris Simpson. “It is my hope that community members, alumni, and future students will attend this open house to see firsthand how these updated lab facilities will enhance teaching and learning at Olney Central College.”
The extensive $2 million project is the first major update to the third-floor facilities since OCC’s main classroom building opened in 1974. The renovations have transformed the physics, chemistry and two biology labs into modern, high-tech learning environments.
“The transformation of these science labs reflects Illinois Eastern Community College’s ongoing commitment to student success and delivering exceptional education to benefit our students,” Simpson added.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Aaron Lineberry says with the upgrades, OCC’s laboratory spaces now reflect the quality that has long existed within its science programs.
“We’ve always had amazing instrumentation and equipment at least from the chemistry perspective. I have equipment that I know none of the other colleges in the area have access to,” Dr. Lineberry said. “Now, I have the facilities to match that equipment. With the updates, we’re hoping we can get more students to come in, take a look at us, and consider OCC for their first couple of years. When you compare our new labs to those of other community colleges, they are right on par.”
The renovations began in April and continued throughout the summer as all existing furnishings were removed and new flooring, cabinetry and equipment installed. The labs opened for student use in mid-September.
“It is such a huge leap forward for us,” Assistant Professor of Life Sciences Nick Short said. “The former labs weren’t just old, they were obsolete. For the first time since I’ve been here, we’ve had all four labs with classes going on at the same time. We couldn’t have done that in the past. These improvements will ensure we are giving our students a very good experience.”
Assistant Professor of Life Sciences Chris Mathews has seen the difference firsthand as his classes have transitioned from a second-floor classroom into a newly renovated laboratory, which includes a dedicated space for OCC’s cadaver. Previously, the cadaver was housed in a separate room.
“This lab gives us flexibility that we didn’t have before,” Mathews explained. “With the new technology and the way the lab is set up, with everything in one open space, we’ll be able to conduct activities much more efficiently.”
Mathews said the new laboratory configuration also will better support both teaching and student learning.
“It’s just nice to be in a modern space for anatomy and physiology,” he said. “Students are going to be able to take notes a lot easier in class and the formation they’re sitting in is more conducive to working in groups.”
Simpson said the renovation project received extensive financial support from the OCC Foundation through the purchase of new equipment including a $10,000 water purification system. The organization awarded faculty an additional $18,200 in mini grants to procure needed laboratory items such as a vortex mixer, fluorometer, digital scales and refrigerators and freezers.
The Foundation’s support also is creating new opportunities for students to participate in undergraduate research.
“As a community college graduate myself, I believe that community colleges can match the rigor of a university,” said Associate Professor of Life Sciences Dr. Sarah Bergbower. “It has always been my personal mission that my courses thoroughly prepare students for transfer in the sciences. That’s why this semester, thanks to gracious support from the OCC Foundation, I’m proud and excited to offer a microbiome sequencing undergraduate research project for our pre-med students.”
The microbiome sequencing project is one example of how the OCC Foundation’s support helps expand educational opportunities for students while strengthening OCC’s science programs.
“We are deeply grateful to the OCC Foundation and its donors for their support of this project,” Simpson said. “Their investment in these renovated science labs is an investment in our students, our faculty, and our community.”
He added, “Every donor that contributes to the OCC Foundation played a role in making this project a reality. We are fortunate to live in a community that values education and supports it financially.”
Together, IECC and the OCC Foundation are creating new opportunities for students.
“We now have two fully functioning chemistry hoods in the back of the chemistry lab and there are different things we can do especially for our organic chemistry students,” Dr. Lineberry added. “A lot of the chemicals that we work with in organic chemistry are ‘skull and crossbones’ so now we have a place dedicated where we can go and work and do it safely. We can do reactions that are a little more on the risky side because we have the safety of the hoods. It will allow us to do a lot of things that we wouldn’t have been able to do before.”
Dr. Lineberry said the renovations also addressed infrastructure issues that have emerged over the years due to Wattleworth Hall’s age.
“Now we don’t have to worry about power outages and leaking pipes,” he added. “Students can focus on the chemistry and it’s going to make a world of difference. We now have the facilities to match the equipment and everything else that we have here.”
As Athletic Director and Softball Coach, Short is heavily involved in recruiting at OCC and said the new facilities will have a significant impact on those efforts.
“Anything that shows investment in facilities and improvements is awesome and presents the campus in a positive light for prospective students,” he added. “I want to thank the administration, district and the OCC Foundation, which provided new equipment, some of which hasn’t even arrived yet. This has made a huge difference for our students.”
