Franklin W. Olin Building

The Luther Mathematics Department, along with Computer Science and the Economics and Business Departments, is housed in the state-of-the-art Franklin W. Olin Building.   This building is a highly visible symbol of the importance Luther places on the disciplines of mathematics, computer science, economics and business, and also of the importance of the interdisciplinary nature of career preparation.  Dedicated at Homecoming 1995, the Franklin W. Olin Building is a state-of-the art academic facility which houses the disciplines that invent, use, and teach the methods of information technology: accounting, business, computer science, economics, management information systems, and mathematics.

For students majoring in mathematics, economics and business, and computer science, Olin is the center of campus life; here they attend classes, study, use computer technology, and make contacts with colleagues and faculty mentors. Students majoring in other disciplines are frequent users of Olin's facilities as well, learning to use information technology appropriate to their major fields of study.

The building features 33 faculty offices, ten high-technology classrooms, two computer classrooms, four networked computer laboratories, a 137-seat auditorium/lecture hall, a large seminar room, a student study center, and conference/interview rooms.

Classrooms are designed to be flexible to encourage interaction between faculty and students and the formation of small study groups.

The advanced technological facilities in Olin offer students an excellent opportunity to develop comprehensive computer skills in conjunction with knowledge in their disciplines. Though computer skills are becoming increasingly important in every major, they are essential for mathematics, computer science, and economics and business students. Olin equipment and software gives these students an edge in an increasingly technological world.

The Round Table Room, on Olin's third floor, features a technician's workstation and 28 networked computers, arranged in a circular format and equipped with Ventana GroupSystems for Windows software. The software is designed to facilitate brainstorming, debate, consensus, and planning. GroupSystems software is used widely for research and consulting services at major universities, progressive businesses, and commercial organizations around the world. The Round Table Room is one of three centers at Luther equipped for video teleconferencing.

All computers in Olin are networked to access within the building, throughout the campus (to other building’s labs), and to the internet.