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Olney Central College is undertaking an extensive $2 million project to renovate four science labs in Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall.
The work will focus on transforming the third-floor physics, chemistry and two biology labs into modern, high-tech learning spaces.
OCC President Chris Simpson said the renovations will be a much-needed addition to the campus.
“There really hasn’t been a lot done to the labs since Wattleworth Hall opened in the early 1970s,” he said. “All of the original cabinetry and a lot of other original items are still there so it is very much overdue. I know that I’m really looking forward to the renovations and am excited about the improvements.”
The remodel will encompass everything from new cabinetry, flooring and furniture to the upgraded tools and equipment needed to support effective faculty instruction.
“The new science labs will provide a more modern, updated 21st Century-type of environment for teaching and learning,” Simpson said. “I know that both students and faculty members will appreciate the new labs. A modern, well-designed lab can make STEM courses more engaging for students. As we have seen with our recently opened Health Professions Center, these new and updated spaces have a major impact on teaching and learning. It allows for new approaches to instruction for our faculty members and is much more visually appealing to the students.”
Simpson recently reached out to the OCC Foundation to explore a partnership with the college to purchase new scientific equipment. The Executive Board agreed making it a focal point of the OCC Foundation’s 2026 Campaign for Excellence.
“I knew that our foundation would be very supportive of this project because we are going to have not just construction as part of this, but we are going to need to significantly upgrade the equipment that is there,” he said. “We’re thinking about things like scales or glassware in the chemistry lab. You find similar types of things in the biology lab or in the human anatomy and physics lab. All of these areas are going to require some improvements and upgrades with equipment, and we appreciate the foundation’s support and being a key partner in helping with these improvements.”
Renovations began April 27 and are expected to continue throughout the summer. The project should be completed prior to the start of fall semester classes.
Simpson said this will be an extensive project that includes not only asbestos abatement, but the disposal of outdated materials.
“Over the years there has been an accumulation of a lot of chemicals and various other pieces of equipment,” he said. “Many of those items you just can’t put in the dumpster so we’ll need to go through a disposal process with many of those items and that will take time.”
Simpson noted the college has been exploring the project for several years. Faculty involvement has been vital in the planning process to ensure the renovations meet the current and future needs of OCC students.
“The faculty input is something that we wanted to provide right from the very beginning” Simpson said. “Having the opportunity to provide that input, we thought was essential because they’re the experts in teaching those areas. The faculty input was really, key to this entire project.”
During Fall 2024, OCC administration and faculty toured updated lab facilities at Parkland College, Richland Community College, Kaskaskia College and Southwestern Illinois College. Through the experience, they were able to view different layouts and see how those institutions were able to integrate instructional spaces within their labs.
“It was a good opportunity to generate ideas among our faculty so that when they were working with the architects, they were able to provide some ideas and some input on the design,” Simpson said.
For the students, the labs will open many new and exciting opportunities.
“The new science labs align very well with the newly developed transfer pathways that IECC has developed,” Simpson said. “These pathways provide a better sequence of courses for students, and the new labs will enhance learning opportunities for students. I think the students that leave Olney Central College are well prepared for their next steps, whatever that may be. If the student transfers to a 4-year institution, these upgrades to our science labs are going to enhance their ability to be successful as they transfer on.”
