Creating a Space Where Students Thrive: The William E. Urschel Hall Experience
Valparaiso University is focused on moving forward, and that means updating our existing facilities to match the identity we’ve grown into. Urschel Hall, home of the College of Business, is undergoing such a transformation now, and is calling on alumni for support as they make all aspects of their building (some of which has not been updated for 30 or more years) reflect the incredible experience students can expect within its walls.
“The redesigned area reflects our commitment and approach to business education through a triple-bottom line —people, planet, and profit,” says Niclas Erhardt, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business. “The artwork adorning the walls serves as a constant reminder of our mission to balance the needs of our community, the health of the planet, and the pursuit of profitability. This refreshed space not only elevates the aesthetic appeal of Urschel Hall, but also reinforces the ethos that defines our academic community.”
By taking on projects to upgrade and modernize, the College of Business will create an attractive atmosphere that will have an immediate impact on recruitment, inspiring new students — and their parents — to consider what the school has to offer for enriching their future. An investment in the space will also impact current students, faculty members, and staff, giving them a space to call home that they can be even more proud of.
Thanks to the generosity of alumni, the first step of the overall project has already been undertaken: renovation of the second floor lobby. As the first space many visitors see, creating an impressive atmosphere was critical for the most common entryway to the building. The $60,000 project included updating the artwork on display, removing the carpeting and replacing the flooring, removing the texture from the ceiling, and modernizing the lighting systems.
Creating an amazing entrance is only the first step in revitalizing Urschel Hall. Once the next fundraising landmark is met (an additional $40,000), work can begin to revitalize the second level conference room. This area serves as a prime location for meetings, including initial discussions with potential new students, and is presently surrounded on almost all sides by brick walls. With the money from the second milestone, those walls can be replaced with more modern frosted glass, immediately and drastically changing the look and feel of not only the conference room, but the area surrounding it. The funding will also go towards upgrading the lighting system and upgrading the ceiling grid.
Part three of this series of projects will center around classrooms themselves. Five rooms in total have not received new chairs or desks since the 1970’s, making them non conducive to modern teaching practices, which often require tables and chairs to be rearranged at a moment’s notice for better engagement and group work. This project would purchase 30-32 chairs and 12 modern tables for each room at an estimated cost of $20,000 per-classroom.
The final project is estimated to be another $40,000 and will tackle the women’s and men’s restrooms on the second floor. While not as public as the lobby and conference room, these facilities are used by a large number of visitors and have not been updated since 1970. As such, they have a negative impact on the brand for anyone in need of them during a visit. This upgrade would retile the floor and walls and install new partitions, fixtures and faucets.
With the help of our alumni community, these plans can help Urschel Hall remain as a beacon of learning for future business professionals. Modernizing these facilities will attract students, impress visitors, and open up new opportunities for the College of Business and Valparaiso University. The College of Business is still seeking donors to help make these plans a reality. To contribute to the cause, click here.