students G et A KICK O ut OF KECK

By Daniella Moreau

Assenior Ben Janda sticks his hands inside two gloves you might see in a science fiction movie, he gets excited to play with a dangerous chemical. One that can’t be exposed to air.

Actually, it’s all about water.

“If the chemicals are exposed to water, they’ll either break down or explode,” said the chemistry major.

These giant rubber gloves, called gloveboxes, are one of the many technological advancements of the new Keck Center for Science and Engineering on Chapman’s campus. For some students, the nearly block-long Keck Center is just a shortcut way to walk to the dorms in cold or rainy weather. But inside, those scores of students wearing white lab coats say it’s opening doors they’d only dreamed about.

pened in 2018 with a new wing added two years ago, the $130 million, 140,000 square feet Keck Center is the most technologically advanced and largest facility on campus. It houses both the science and technology school and the engineering school.

Unique? It’s also the only place on campus where students are encouraged to write on the walls. And encouraged to study while sitting on the stairs.

Dean of the engineering school, Andrew Lyon, said just the excitement of the design of the Keck Center could be the reason for the increase in students transferring to engineering majors.

“I like to think that part of that is our curriculum, but probably part of it is also the building,” said Lyon.

Students’ opinions seem to support this theory.

Science and engineering students find Keck useful for high-level research in STEM fields, with access to advanced technologies typically reserved only for faculty and graduate students But it’s not just the tech that is a draw for the students. Students love the modern spaces. Kurt Horney, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major, said the McCardle Steps are his favorite spot in the facility. With cushions scattered throughout the steps, it’s a hot spot for many students to relax or study.

“I love it just because I feel like it’s the heart of the Keck Center,” said Horney.

Ashley Alexander, also a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major, said the Keck Center is a great place to be curious. She urges students across campus to take advantage of the building. In Keck, students can write directly on the walls throughout the halls of the building. Horney said the whiteboard walls are helpful for working out complex reaction equations.

Software engineering freshman, Jacob Zamore said students love the unique study atmosphere. Such as the vibrant red booth study room tucked into the halls of Swenson.

“There’s just so many nooks and crannies within Keck,” said Zamore.

Ethan Slade, a senior electrical engineering major, said his favorite spot in Swenson Hall (the engineering section) is on the second floor on the south side of the building.

“I love Swenson because that’s where all my friends sit up at a table, and we just post up,” Slade said.

There’s just one flaw with Keck. The space isn’t big enough to sustain the rapid growth of the majors. When finals roll around, these hot spots aren’t so hot. Study spaces fill up quickly.

“Competition for those spaces has been vicious at times. Especially during finals and midterms,” said Lyon.

When it’s busy in the Keck Center, Slade enjoys having access to the makerspace on the first floor. The Design/Create/Innovate Lab is in Swenson Hall, where students can use 3D printers and laser cutters.

“The classrooms in Swenson and Keck, I feel like, are up-to-date,” said Slade. “It’s technology inclusive. Like, I can use so much of the lab equipment to get things done throughout the day.”

Janda said the Keck Center has served as a second home for him.

“It’s like a place that kind of unifies us. I really do love it,” he said.