Randolph College Announces $6 Million Student Center Renovation

Randolph College will begin construction on a $6 million renovation of its Student Center this summer, President John E. Klein announced on Tuesday, January 25, 2011.

“Thanks to the wonderful support of our alumnae, we will be greatly enhancing the Student Center spaces and bringing a significant improvement to life on campus,” Klein said. “We are extremely grateful for the support and commitment of the donors to this transformational project.”

The project will be completely funded by five alumnae donors. The alumnae who are financially supporting the project are Sadie “Puff” Gravely Hampson ’41, Byrd and Alice Hilseweck Ball ’61, Tom and Sally Maier Rowe ’67, and two alumnae who wish to remain anonymous.

“We’re excited and pleased to be able to do this for our students, and we’re happy we can continue to add features that will attract more students,” said Lucy Williams Hooper ’73, chair of the Randolph College Board of Trustees. “Fully funding this project with donor support shows we will be able to tackle future projects successfully.”

The Student Center is located in the rear of Main Hall at the center of campus.

The area of Main Hall that is now the Student Center has seen many incarnations during the College’s history, previously serving as the chapel and as a dining hall.

The renovation plans, designed by Craddock-Cunningham Architectural Partners of Lynchburg, will totally transform the current Student Center by adding many exciting new spaces for student activities and stunning views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains on 3 1/2 floors. The renovation will incorporate treasured elements of the campus’ current architecture, such as curvy stairs (“curlies”), the Skeller, the vaulted ceiling beams and the existing organ, pipes, and stained glass. The renovation will be energy efficient and sustainable with low-energy lighting, energy-efficient mechanical systems, double- and triple-glaze windows, and low VOC carpet, paint, and cabinetry.

Students, faculty, and staff played a large role in the design of the Student Center’s design, offering suggestions and ideas for ways to improve and enhance the space to meet the Randolph College community’s needs.

“Students have been a focal point of this project from the beginning, and that’s important,” said Carl Coffey ’11, Student Government president.

Highlights of the new Student Center include:

• a three-story entry vestibule with floor-to-ceiling windows and curly staircase
• a two-level fitness center on the top floor, featuring an array of cardio workout equipment and a space for yoga, Pilates and dance and offering views of the Blue Ridge mountains through large glass windows
• a 90-seat theatre on the top floor that incorporates the current, vaulted ceiling beams
• dramatic open gathering spaces designed especially for students
• additional conference and reception rooms
• an improved Skeller (student grill) with more menu choices and more student-friendly hours
• a wrap-around outside deck, providing spaces for meeting and eating outdoors
• an entertainment floor, with pool tables, ping-pong, foosball games and other activities
• a glass-enclosed studio for the student radio station, WWRM, overlooking the gathering space below through a large opening in the floor, and
• new student government and publications offices

Construction will begin this summer and is expected to last 18 months.