laboratory, cartography services and the Center for Applications of Remote Sensing. After enduring Hanner Hall’s limited space and noise, including clunking window units, “We are thrilled,” says Randolph Deal, head of the communication sciences and disorders department.“Just the fact that the facility will have central air conditioning will improve the signal-to-noise ratio so necessary to effective diagnosis and treatment. The increased space will allow our speech-language-hearing clinic to serve more patients more efficiently.” Murray also will accommodate a central audio-visual control room for diagnostic and therapeutic sessions, customized rooms to include soundproof booths for hearing evaluations, laryngeal stroboscopy and flexible endoscopy as well as acoustic and aerodynamic capture and analysis. Growing pains “This renovated facility will provide the framework to be more competitive with other Big 12 institutions and to realize our long-term goal of proposing a clinical doctorate in speech-language pathology,” Deal says. Deal’s department isn’t the only one anticipating that the improved location will stimulate growth. “We’re very excited about the opportunity for continued growth in our program,” says James Scott, head of political science. “It’s a wonderful improvement,” he says. “We’ll have office space for graduate students and a work area for undergraduates as well as room for expanding our faculty. All the department’s activities will be well served in the new space. It will enable us to put the pieces of our program together, to create the culture of interaction we’re seeking.” The history department’s cramped quarters, offices with double occupancy and the lack of student work areas restrict its growth, says head Elizabeth Williams. By moving to Murray, the department will gain one-third more space and places for graduate assistants. Likewise, the new location gives philosophy room for new faculty and students to enter the program. “There is no room to grow in Hanner,” says department head Doren Recker. “The elevators in Murray will allow students and others with disabilities to actually enter the department. This is not so in Hanner, where we occupy the second and third floors with no elevators. Students must make arrangements for faculty to meet them elsewhere.” continues next page Gary Lawson Designed to suit Having a custom-built facility tailored specifically to their needs is another first for these departments, which have been involved throughout the planning process. While the space improves for all the departments, specialized facilities are important to geography and communication sciences and disorders. “Ownership over our own space is a big improvement — particularly new space we had a hand in designing according to the geography department’s needs,” Lightfoot says. Murray will contain geography’s special-use facilities, geographic information system and remote sensing teaching labs, physical geography 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Murray Hall Into the 21st Century A historical timeline of significant milestones in the history of Murray Hall can be found at http:// murray.okstate.edu/ Oklahoma State University 15 qFrom left, celebrating the renovation of Murray Hall are Peter M.A. Sherwood, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Marlene Strathe, former interim president and system CEO; Lou Watkins, Board of Regents for Oklahoma A&M Colleges; Lee Denney, state representative of Cushing; and Tom Wikle, associate dean of the college.
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