A staple of the student community since White Hall's renovation in 2012, the Lounge has long served as the home base
for physics and astronomy undergraduates at West Virginia University. Alumni and
current students alike describe it as a cornerstone of their academic and social
experience.
"I was honestly super scared when I got to the University," said Mikal Dufor, a
2019 graduate of the
Physics, B.S. program and current graduate student in the Plasma and Space Physics
research group. "Making friends in college was harder than in high school.
In high school, you're around the same people every day. In college, that's not
the case."
Once Dufor got involved in Physics, the Lounge became a part of his routine. "When
I started showing up at the Lounge, I saw other students in my year who were
just as nervous, seniors who had more experience — it was just this broad
mix of people, and that was really cool," he said. "Sure, it was a good
place to get homework done, but it became more than that. We'd hang out, talk,
eat lunch ... it was a place for fellowship."
Dufor remembers the sense of shared effort most vividly. "There's something
unforgettable about those 9 p.m. nights in the Lounge, when homework was due the
next day and we'd all be scrambling to finish. I'd look up and think, wow, I'm really grateful to be doing this with these people. They
still hold a special place in my heart. That time taught me how to be a young
adult in a safe, supportive environment," Dufor said. "It was truly something
beautiful."
For current undergraduate students Tyler Blizzard and Ethan Thompson, that
spirit continues.
"When I switched my major from engineering to physics, I didn't know anyone,"
Thompson said. "The Lounge was one of the first places where I was able to
talk to people and make friends. Now, I feel like I know a good bit of people
in the Department."
Blizzard had a similar experience. "For me, arriving at the University from community
college, I did not know anyone or anything. I was pushed to the Lounge by one
of my professors, Dr. Earl Scime," said Blizzard. "Once I got in there,
it provided a much-needed third space, which is difficult to find these days. I
have really enjoyed how freeing it is to have a place that is specifically
for us to be. It has always made me feel so welcome."
With updated furniture, stocked supplies, and improved study spaces, the refreshed
lounge offers a space for physics and astronomy students to relax,
collaborate, and recharge between classes. The lounge has many new features,
including:
- New flooring and fresh paint
- Leather sofas and flexible seating options
- Rolling whiteboard and full-length chalkboard
- Flat screen television with game consoles
- Full service, stocked kitchenette with fridge
- Mini library of go-to books and textbooks
- Cabinet stocked with free school supplies
To request access to the Lounge, you must be an undergraduate WVU student
in physics and/or astronomy, and you must complete the
Door Access Request Form.
