College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology opens Student Excellence Center

Friday, December 5, 2014

(STILLWATER, Okla., Nov. 18, 2014) – Oklahoma State University’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology officially opened a new space Friday that will greatly enhance academic opportunities for its students.

The Student Excellence Center provides a central location for students to meet with academic advisers, study, interact with their peers in other academic disciplines and simply relax.

“I am convinced that this center will not only physically change the face of our building, but also transform the way our students learn, study and ultimately succeed,” says Paul Tikalsky, dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. “We designed this space based on what students told us was most important to them and how it could help them succeed. We listened to their ideas, and what you see today is the result of that process.”

The Student Excellence Center features an open-environment design that mirrors new work spaces in many technology corporations. It will offer nightly tutoring, career services, interview training, résumé-writing workshops and other programs to develop the leadership and communication skills that position OSU graduates as employees of choice.

OSU President Burns Hargis says the Student Excellence Center reflects OSU’s increased emphasis on undergraduate students with a strong background in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“The Student Excellence Center will be instrumental in helping our students grow these skills, whether it is through the mentoring, tutoring and advising services or simply through the innovative spaces for study and collaboration,” Hargis says. “I look forward to watching this become a hub of activity and inspiration. I am sure it will help us attract and retain the best and brightest STEM students for years to come.”

“None of this would be possible without the many alumni, donors and corporate partners who embraced this vision and made it a reality,” Tikalsky says. “We know that students will see these donor names and be inspired by their generosity.”

Several named spaces were funded by lead donors, including the William L. Cain Academic Center, the ExxonMobil Boardroom, Sharon V’s Number Crunch Café and the Cal and Marilyn Vogt Networking Lounge, which was relocated and remodeled from the previous Advanced Technology Research Center first-floor lobby.

In addition to these donors is Phillips 66, which has a long history of supporting CEAT through funding scholarships and hiring graduates. In honor of that partnership, OSU will soon begin construction on the Phillips 66 Student Plaza just outside of the center.

The center will host Phillips 66 Summer Bridge Program activities, tailgates, graduation ceremony events, research activities, displays by student groups and programs to interest K-12 students in STEM subjects.

“We are thrilled to be part of the new Student Excellence Center,” says Debbie Adams, senior vice president, Health, Safety and Environment, Projects and Procurement, Phillips 66, and a 2014 OSU Distinguished Alumna. “The Phillips 66 Student Plaza will provide OSU’s CEAT students the opportunity to collaborate and foster a sense of teamwork, two very important tenants of the Phillips 66 culture.”

Three other people spoke during Friday’s event. Cole Griffin, a architectural engineering senior and CEAT Student Council president, introduced an elaborate Rube Goldberg machine used to officially open the doors to the Student Excellence Center. Provost Gary Sandefur spoke about improving student retention by offering students a place to connect with their college. Finally, Capstone Natural Resources CEO Phil Terry, a 1970 mechanical engineering alumnus, explained how the Student Excellence Center will provide a place for math and science and show students how those subjects are applied in the workforce.