As students return to college in Canton, Hannibal, they’ll see several renovations to campuses – Herald-Whig

Posted: Aug. 18, 2017 12:01 am Updated: Aug. 18, 2017 11:20 pm

Just because school is out during the summer doesn't mean work on campus shuts down, too.

Both Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., and Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Mo., have spent the summer making renovations to their campuses. New and returning students and their families will notice an updated feeling on both campuses when the fall semester starts next week.

Culver-Stockton College

Updating residence halls was a goal for the college this summer.

C-SC's largest construction project has been the new $3 million suite-style Carolyn L. and Robert W. Brown Residence Hall. Each suite includes four beds, a kitchenette, private bathrooms and built-in closets. It also will have four classrooms in one wing.

Shannon Hall underwent nearly $500,000 facility upgrades, including new windows, bathrooms, drywall, paint and LED lighting.

"Due to increased enrollment, the new residence hall and Shannon Hall renovations were a high priority," said Mike Bringer, C-SC director of campus security and facilities. Updates to Weldon, Gerlach, Clough and Stone halls were made, as well.

As for academic buildings, the Carl Johann Memorial Library was outfitted with new windows, and the Herrick Center has new flooring, lighting and paint.

"The replacement of over 120 windows in this building has improved its look from an interior and exterior perspective, not to mention it creates a more energy-efficient climate," Bringer said of the library.

The recreation and wellness center has new paint, bathroom vanities and resinous flooring, and the Joe Charles Field House was converted to a football locker room. Outdoors, an archway featuring bronze lettering and the college seal at the main entrance of campus has been added.

The college also is installing new aluminum footboards, walking surfaces and seating with backs at Ellison Poulton Stadium. Capacity will be expanded to 1,006, which includes eight wheelchair spaces with companion seats. Installation is expected to be done by the Wildcats' first home football game Sept. 9.

"These renovations and improvements have a direct effect on everyone's experience at college," Bringer said. "With that being said, the Hill is home away from home for students and their families. The projects completed this summer will enhance the overall student experience, and current feedback includes very positive comments."

New students checked in to campus Friday, and classes start Monday.

Hannibal-LaGrange University

Multiple changes were made to the HLGU campus over the summer. Most noticeable were renovations to Kleckner Hall and the L.A. Foster Student Center.

Kleckner, a community-style women's dormitory, had minor repairs made to it in the past, but this year it was time to do more than that to better serve students, university officials decided.

Kleckner had significant updates to its lighting, flooring, lobbies and restrooms. The building's heating and air-conditioning system also was replaced.

"In an ongoing effort to provide quality housing for our students, we created a master plan to remodel and upgrade where needed," HLGU President Anthony Allen said in a statement. "After performing some scheduled maintenance, it became clear that more work is needed."

The amount of work the dormitory required placed it at the top of the renovation list, he noted.

New in the student center is the snack shop the HLGU Loft, which will serve personal pizzas, smoothies, coffee and more. The center also had new lighting, flooring and furniture installed.

In addition, the University Bookstore and student life offices moved into the student center. The public safety office, which used to be in the student center, has moved to the Burt Administration Building.

Move-in day for new-students at Hannibal-LaGrange was Thursday. Classes begin Tuesday.

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As students return to college in Canton, Hannibal, they'll see several renovations to campuses - Herald-Whig