Teer, Hudson and the LSRC: These are just a few names of the several engineering buildings that line Science Drive and provide a late-night refuge for many engineering students. Although the work done inside these academic havens might be exciting, some suggest the building names could use some improvement.
That's why Kristina Johnson, dean of the Pratt School of Engineering, says she wants the new engineering building to have a spicier name than its current one, the Center for Interdisciplinary Engineering and Applied Sciences.
"We want to have something that is snappy and has a great acronym, that sounds like what goes on in the building, sort of a technical onomatopoeia," Johnson said.
To accomplish this, Johnson plans to hold a contest to generate the best ideas.
"We've never done anything like this, and I think it could be awesome. We want to open it to everyone at Duke, and we hope to get hundreds of names," Johnson said. "Some student might get to come up with the complex name, that's cool."
Some students said they would give the building a name that suggests how they feel about their work.
"They should name it something long and boring like the subject. It doesn't need a fun name because it's an engineering building," said sophomore Andrew Van Kirk.
Sophomore Catie Liken thought calling the building "Engineer Central" or "The Happening Place on Campus" might make students more excited to study there.
Others thought names like "Hell Hole" or "Black Hole" would be more appropriate, since they reflect the time they plan to spend in the new building.
"OPersonal Hell,' because it's an engineering building--it's where we spend our lives," said sophomore Megan Adams.
Several students, while working on problem sets, suggested calling the new building "Hell," "Purgatory" or "Death Star." Others said they thought the chronic studying habits of engineering students should be reflected in the name. "Red Bull Building" was suggested since some engineers drink Red Bull to stay up and work late.
Sophomore Lauren Powell suggested naming it OThe Pi Building,' after the number frequently used by engineers. Also, she thought OBiuldnig' would be appropriate since "engineers can't spell."
But some students said they are not enthusiastic about the chance to name a building on Science Drive.
"I don't think a contest to name an engineering building is very exciting. Engineers aren't very creative. I can't think of anything appropriate to name it other than the name it already has. It sounds fine to me," said junior Mike Sullivan.
Dr. Sandy Williams, dean of the medical school, said he is unsure what to name the building but felt it should reflect the Medical Center's $20 million contribution to the project and the number of medical researchers who will likely work at the new center.
"I don't know exactly what it's going to be called. I think we might put an OM' in it," Williams said.
Many other campus buildings are named for the donor who made a substantial contribution to its construction, and Johnson said she is not opposed to that option for this building.
"Name it for whoever gives the most money to the school. Isn't that how everything else is named?" asked junior Dave Chong.
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