computer SCIence & math NEW FACILITY II dreams become reality Home was a place of belonging and a place where people spent a majority of their time. That's why many students affectionately referred to their academic major buildings as their second homes. For the computer science and computer engineering majors, home was nonexistent. Students wandered from building to building like nomads. However, in the fall of 2004, computer science and computer engineering personnel hoped to cross the threshold of their new home for the first time. This yea r, the Pryor science building received a three-floor addition. "I think it's going to boost the morale of the faculty and students," Dr. Tim Baird, computer science department chairman, said. Although the building was originally designed for two floors with the option of building a third floor, the administration went ahead and decided to have the third floor built this year. Baird said this decision would allow room for two possible future majors, electrical and mechanical engineering. Deciding to build came from several motivating factors. The first of these was that since the beginning of the computer science department in 1982, the department has almost tripled in size, Baird said. "It's important to remember that it's not just computer science and math in this building; it's also biology and physical science," Baird said . "We're literally blUsting at the seams here and they're g.t:owing as welL This way we'll all have room to grow." In the fall of 2000 computer engineering was added to the list of majors. Since then computer engineering majors . have made do with their accommodations. "I think it's great especially for us engineering majors," senior Dillon Ross. "At this point we don't really have a place to do labs. So we're working out of one classroom in the old music building." More classroom space, more computer connections and a walkway between the building and the Mclnteer were just a few of the features planned for the building. A patio with wi reless connections was also on the blueprint. "It's a visible commitment that the Harding administration is behind computer science and engineering," Baird said. -CnireyTni 176 11 academics Or. Tim Baird, chairman of the computer science department, surveys con– struction on the Pryor science building. The construction, originally designee for two floors, was changed second semester to include a third floor to accommodate future engineering programs. (Photo by Amy Beene)
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