The 270 Chronicles tells stories within Bowling Green’s 270 area code, 270 words at a time, featuring niche events, organizations and people that make up our local community.
Story by Brennan Hoskins
Photos by Julia Buntyn
Ogden College Hall opened its doors in January 2018 to students of the sciences at WKU. Ogden College of Science and Engineering’s Associate Dean for Research, Cathleen Webb, said she and Ogden Provost Emeritus, Cheryl Stevens, wanted its design to incorporate the disciplines studied within.
“The theme for this building is ‘Science on Display,’” Webb said. “So every part of Ogden College Hall reflects science and art.”
The first floor of Ogden Hall features installations communicating different areas of study, including a collection of sculpted nerve cells underneath assorted lights. Webb said the piece, “Incubate,” was constructed by Art Department Head Kristina Arnold.
“One night, when I was here late, I came out and saw she and her husband were on a ladder, adjusting the lights to get them just right,” Webb said. “Kristina Arnold, I think, is justifiably proud of this work.”
A timeline of evolution stretches across Ogden Hall’s basement. Webb said its design was among the last to be finalized due to the biology department’s insistence that it be drawn to scale.
“They couldn’t wrestle with the fact that they didn’t have enough space to do it accurately,” Webb said. “It would be too big, or, if they compressed it, most of it would be empty.”
One exit from Ogden Hall is illuminated by a pattern of circular lights. Webb said the installation was dubbed “Phase Change” for its depiction of molecules rising from a solid to liquid, then gas.
“I remember writing on a piece of paper and showing the architects,” Webb said. “This feature is what they came up with, and it is truly magnificent.”
