By Oumar Bah in Campus News, College Days, Student Life on February 13, 2025
Ripon’s anticipated renovated Science Center brings a positive response from eager students
“Chemistry, it’s a messy subject…if you work in those labs for more than 50 years, it definitely shows its age,” physics professor Christina Othon said.
Students on campus see that there are no more fenced-in areas with caution tape and no construction vehicles or workers at the Franzen Science Center.
There has not been an official statement from the college stating that all renovations are complete. However, as students and faculty members have gotten acclimated to the normal academic swing of things, students are no longer being impacted by the construction of the science center.
With this extensive renovation, many important facets of the Franzen Science Center have been added and improved upon. They include new laboratories, office spaces, collaborative research rooms, silent study spaces, HVAC systems, and sprinkler systems.
It has been a while since the Franzen Science Center has seen any renovations or complete remodels.
“The Science Center was built in the 1960s and only received partial renovations around 1995,” Othon said.
Students have expressed their gratitude for this renovation by using the new resources provided to further their education.
Ximena Martinez who is a biology major and a current sophomore, had some nice things to say about the renovations to the Science Center.
The Franzen Science Center renovations are completed as second semester is underway. Photo courtesy of Oumar Bah.
“I like the variety of study tables and silent areas across the building,” Ximena said.
Although getting the perspective from the current underclassmen is a great way to gauge initial impressions of the building’s renovations, the opinions of upperclassmen also matter as they have gotten to experience the old and the new.
Shane Duly, a current junior, who majors in chemistry and physics has had his fair share of classes in the Franzen Center prior to its renovations.
“I could tell it was definitely old, but it had everything it needed. I could see the age of the old building coming into play during certain things like how a lot of the chemistry lab rooms were incredibly cold during the winter… but I have newer lab areas for my current physics classes, and those are definitely helping me with what I’m trying to learn. ”
Allison DeNamur, a current senior, who majors in Anthropology and History, explains while she used the building for getting homework done the renovations are beneficial to all students on campus.
“It was a good investment for us to make, I think most of the campus is Science majors of some sort, and most students have classes here [Franzen Science Center] at some point…and even looking in the labs, like everything looks updated, looks new, and I’m glad they made it.
The faculty is also excited about these resources they now have access to. Getting to hear Othon’s perspective on how big of a change this is, she is thrilled with all the possibilities that the faculty members have in advancing students’ education.
“The overwhelming response has been very positive…the faculty are super excited. It’s a much nicer space to be able to teach. We have a lot more variety of different classroom styles and different teaching styles available. Just getting new spaces for us to do our research is amazing because it just lets us do more with the students,” Othon said.
Ripon College alumni Mark and Janice Franzen were the donors for this renovation. Both were STEM majors during their tenure at Ripon College and had a deep appreciation for the STEM department. Specific information can be read about them as students enter through the Franzen Science Center.
In an interview with Mr. Franzen, he remarks on how he felt about seeing the new renovations in person.
“It’s very beautiful, and I’m happy to see all the students using all the tools and resources,” Mr. Franzen said when asked about his first impressions of the renovations.
The completion of the Franzen Science Center marks an achievement for Ripon College, providing students with more modernized spaces and enhanced collaboration between faculty and students.