This fall, students will stream into Knobel Hall and the King Center for Data & Innovation for the first time, stepping into a space designed to prepare them for a world increasingly shaped by technological advances, AI, and data-based problem-solving.
As they explore labs dedicated to virtual reality, data visualization, and robotics and machine learning — and enjoy expansive views of President’s Drive through floor-to-ceiling windows — their experiences will be made possible by the generosity of Denison alums and friends.
What began as an ambitious vision is now a stone, glass, and steel reality. Through the renovation of historic Doane Hall (now Knobel Hall) and the sweeping addition of the new King Center for Data & Innovation, Denison has created an energy-infused, cutting-edge campus hub where students and faculty from across disciplines can come together to explore the crossroads of data, technology, and the liberal arts.
“Denison is a leader in data analytics at liberal arts colleges, and this building showcases that,” said Associate Professor Emily Marshall ʼ10, the King Center’s inaugural director.
The opening of the facility marks a significant milestone in Denison’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation in teaching and learning. It also represents the culmination of remarkable philanthropic support, totaling more than $30.5 million, including transformational gifts announced this year from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation and from Emily Hauser King ‘63 and Robert E. King, whose generosity established the King Center for Data & Innovation.
Thanks to the Sherman Fairchild Foundation’s investment, Doane Hall was renamed Knobel Hall in honor of President Emeritus Dale Knobel and his wife, Tina. Together, the naming of Knobel Hall and the King Center reflects the commitment of donors who believe deeply in the future of the liberal arts and in the life-shaping power of a Denison education.
“Faculty have come together, devising applied learning experiences for student success, enriched research environments for faculty development, and projects that connect campus and community partners,” said Kim Specht, senior associate provost.
With the building now complete, attention is turning to what will happen inside its walls. As Marshall helps shape the center’s first chapter, she’s focused on pairing academic learning with hands-on experiences that prepare students for careers and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
“A major goal of the King Center is to connect career-relevant experiences to business, data, and technology through partnerships with the Knowlton Center,” she said, citing the ongoing success of the No. 2 best career services in the U.S. “We want to bridge the gap between our curricular offerings and the great work we’re already doing around careers.” From internships and corporate partnerships to leveraging Denison’s network of alums who are working at the forefront of their fields, the possibilities for meaningful collaborations are boundless.
Another key focus for Marshall is the intersectional nature of a campus nexus focused on an aspect of academia — data and technology — that is infused across curricula. She sees the King Center as a place for everyone.
“We really want it to be a space for any student who’s interested in figuring out how data, technology, and business-oriented initiatives can work in what they are doing,” Marshall said. “We’ve been talking a lot about how we can connect with the arts and bring students who are art or music theatre majors into our space to complement their education.” From finance and economics to athletics and the humanities, students visiting the King Center can explore their own interests while gaining practical experience with emerging tools and ideas.
As Knobel Hall and the King Center opens its doors, it stands as a testament to the foresight and generosity of the Denisonians who made this milestone possible. Donor support has created new opportunities that will shape the Denison experience for generations of students to come.
The ribbon cutting may mark the completion of a project. The impact, however, is only beginning.
