Allen Hall has never looked so good.
The end of March marked the completion of the fourth phase of a four-year, $6 million renovation to the School of Journalism and Communication, which is now complemented by a new entrance and atrium.
The revitalization connects the two wings of the building on the first floor, bringing together four of the school’s main student service centers, including the Willis S. Duniway Resource Center and the Carolyn S. Chambers Electronic Media Center. Additionally, a new dean’s office was created on the first floor of Allen Hall.
“I think (the new entrance) is gorgeous,” said junior business major Jordyn Barton, who works in the Duniway Center. “It really adds a lot of credibility to the school.”
Jennifer King, assistant to the dean for external relations, said the building improvements add class and style that exemplifies what the journalism program is all about. Recognized as one of the top programs in the nation, the school now looks great as well, King said.
“We’d like to think the building is catching up with the quality of faculty and students,” Dean Tim Gleason said.
Construction work around Allen, Lawrence and Pacific halls in the last few years has created a student-oriented plaza in the area. More renovations to the space are currently in the planning stage, said Robert Melnick, dean of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts.
“It’s a dramatic improvement,” Melnick said. “It’s a really nice space that will be a great benefit for the school of journalism and for us all.”
A courtyard was also constructed outside of the building and improvements were made to the ramps for students in wheelchairs.
All of the renovation work to Allen Hall directly benefits students, Gleason said. The building’s look should allow students to realize their potential, “otherwise it’s just a pile of brick,” he said.
More improvement work is scheduled for the old Office of the Dean, which will host administrative offices on the second floor. A presentation room with advanced audio and visual capabilities will be built on the second floor for formal gatherings, Gleason said. The Hall of Achievement in the newly constructed area on the first floor is also scheduled to be completed soon.
King said the renovation is funded by private contributors, with most of the money coming from alumni and friends. Fund-raising efforts, matched by the state of Oregon, also accounted for much of the improvement budget.
Previous phases of construction included the creation of the Duniway Center, the Chambers Media Center and a student lounge.
“The new lobby reflects the quality of the school,” said Kellee Weinhold, assistant journalism professor. “As they continue in the phases of renovation, the building will do nothing but improve.”