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Revitalizing Campus: Upgrades, Renovations Spell Busy Summer
Renovations to Shaw and Russell residence halls will be completed in time for Move-in Day on Aug. 25.
Upgrades, renovations spell busy summer
Westminster College will see several campus improvements over the course of the summer months in preparation for the new academic year. Major additions and renovations being made to the campus include improvements to residence halls, academic spaces and administrative offices, as well as spectator seating replacement at Burry Stadium.
Significant upgrades to the campus network infrastructure will be made this summer, as well.
“These changes mean a better Westminster experience for students, faculty, staff, and visitors,” said Westminster College President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson.
Summer improvements include the completion of Shaw Hall renovations that began last summer. Last year, the first floor of the freshman residence hall underwent upgrades to improve aesthetics in the student rooms, lounge, and corridors; replace fixed furniture with mobile pieces; improve restrooms; add ADA units with restrooms; and incorporate universal design—a design concept that addresses physical space and access needs for all people with a broad range of abilities.
Russell Hall, located on the south side of campus adjacent to
The summer months will mean continued renovations and upgrades in Hoyt Science Resources Center.
Eichenauer, will be receiving a similar facelift this summer to address aesthetics, functionality, and those students with special needs. An elevator will also be installed to support ADA access to all floor levels.
Across campus, upgrades will continue in Hoyt Science Resources Center. Last summer, the primary focus was on the building’s entrance and common areas. This summer, the second floor will be addressed, with particular attention on converting the former J.S. Mack Science Library to the new School of Nursing.
Elsewhere on campus, various administrative offices will be reconfigured to streamline workflow and enhance working environments. Burry Stadium will receive a few upgrades this summer, as well. The home side bleachers’ wooden deck boards will be replaced with aluminum, ramps will be installed on both sides of the home stands, safety handrails will be placed along the aisles, and front-row ADA seating will be added. The wooden bleachers on the visitors’ side will be entirely replaced with aluminum seating and ramps will also be added. The Burry Stadium project will be completed in time for the first home football game against Wittenberg on Saturday, Sept. 2.
In addition to the many visible and tangible campus improvements, significant upgrades will be made to the network infrastructure during the summer months.
All the fiber cabling—the backbone of the network and core of the network transit path—will be replaced. The cable, which was installed in the early 1990s, runs from every campus building to the data center in Hoyt via underground conduits.
Today’s students are accustomed to life with multiple wireless devices—cell phones, tablets, laptops, printers, gaming systems, televisions. Because students rely so heavily on the wireless network, the College will update the wireless hardware in all the residence halls, providing an enhanced wifi experience.
Because the majority of faculty and staff use hard-wired connections in their offices and classrooms, the network cabling will be upgraded in specific academic and administrative buildings with outdated cabling.
Additional hardware and software upgrades throughout campus will result a safer and faster network, protection from network overload, and contingency plans during power and internet failures.
Upgrades will be seen at Burry Stadium and Russell Hall.
THE IMPACT OF COMPASSION
Many in our campus community have stepped up to give our current and future students an opportunity to become leaders in our society. Gary Brown ’71—pictured above—knows how to make a difference.
Join with other alumni by supporting one of these important initiatives:
THE WESTMINSTER STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND is now an annual fundraising initiative that provides immediate financial assistance to students that have exhausted all other financial aid options. It allows us to assist those students in their quest to attain a Westminster College degree.
THE GARY D. BROWN ’71 EMERGENCY FUND is an endowed, perpetual fund in which income from the endowment is used to provide support in a similar manner. In May, I walked across the stage at graduation, and I owe my thanks to all the people connected to Westminster who supported my efforts along the way. Because of the amount of compassion that flows from this community, I have always felt welcome. It is this kindness that makes me proud to be a Westminster Titan. I am excited to think of the day when I can help someone in need.
- 2017 graduate who received assistance through the Student Emergency Fund
