New name, same history

Left to right are Dewey Bartlett, UOSA Vice President; Katie Fox, UOSA President; Ray Wallace and Beatrice Carr Wallace; David L. Boren, OU President and Rich Taylor, Dean of the College of Fine Arts. They all participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Beatrice Carr Wallace Hall Wednesday afternoon. -Photo by Chinh Doan

Ray Wallace and Beatrice Carr Wallace gathered in front of the newly-named building with their scholarship recipients, the Wallace Scholars. -Photo by Chinh Doan

Beatrice Carr Wallace spent some time visiting with alums of the OU chapter of Delta Delta Delta. -Photo by Chinh Doan

Watch out, Norman, there’s a new name in town. Old Science Hall is now Beatrice Carr Wallace Hall.

Sooners, faculty and visitors gathered Wednesday afternoon for the dedication ceremony of the remodeled building. The Beatrice Carr Wallace Old Science Hall is home to the Education Abroad program, the School of Drama and Film and Video Studies headquarters.

Two years and $5.9 million later, the building has new features such as wireless Internet, film and video studies equipment, air conditioning, and a studio theatre that doubles as a classroom.

This hall was named after Carr in recognition of the contributions her and her husband has given to OU in the form of scholarships, time and dedication.

Rich Taylor, dean of the College of Fine Arts, is a supporter of the renovations because he attended classes in the building in his earlier years. He said he knows what it was like before the fixings. “The renovations are a perfect balance of improving the facility and retaining its historical charm.”

Built in 1894, two different fires destroyed the oldest remaining building on campus.

“The building shouldn’t be allowed to remain in its dilapidated condition,” David Boren, University President, said during the building’s introduction.

After he spoke about his memories in this building and introduced Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, President Boren presented to the Wallaces the Seed Sower Award. The award includes a membership into the Seed Sower society, a society that consists of select individuals who have donated over $1 million to OU.

The dedication ceremony closed with the cutting of the ribbon in front of the building and the posing for pictures with her scholarship group, Wallace Scholars, and sorority chapter, Delta Delta Delta.