The Reynolds Center for Music and Communication, the Heritage Cafeteria and Armstrong Residence Hall were renovated over the course of the summer.According to Danny DeRamus, director of the physical resource department, the projects are complete, except for a few minor details. Construction on the Pryor-England Science Building began last spring and is almost complete.
According to DeRamus, one of the biggest projects to be undergone was the Armstrong renovation.
“We replaced all the showers in Armstrong, they were giving us a lot of problems,” DeRamus said. “In doing so we decided to go ahead at the last minute and change the flooring and repaint. That was added on to the mix.”
DeRamus said the last time the building had been renovated was in the early 2000s. The changes over the summer included installing new carpet and showers, repainting the walls, reworking the set up of the lobby, and adding a manager’s office.
Junior Dan Schweikhard, an Armstrong resident assistant, has lived in Armstrong since his freshman year.
“Basically, one of the biggest changes is the lobby, it looks a lot different from before,” Schweikhard said.
According to Schweikhard, the reformatting of the lobby improves Armstrong security because it makes it easier for RAs working the desk to see who comes in and out of the dorm.
The cafeteria renovation has brought several additional elements to students dining experiences. Juniors Betsy Clark and Bailey Pounders both said they enjoy the new placement of the sandwich line.
Clark said she also appreciates the longer cafeteria tables because they can potentially help different friend groups talk to one another.
“The long tables, create community because you have to talk to the group of people sitting next to you,” Clark said.
According to DeRamus, none of the renovations have had any major setbacks. However, the overall work and upkeep of the buildings is never truly complete.
“There’s always a need to continue to upgrade, to repair, to fix (and) to maintain all of our buildings,” DeRamus said. “Buildings don’t fix themselves. We’re running a little city here and there’s got to be city maintenance. Everything’s got to be provided and somebody’s got to maintain that. Everybody has to know that this works well. The administration works with us, (and) we work with them. The physical resources (department), along with the administration, we try to provide the best environment for you guys to learn (in). We’re pretty proud of our school.”
