A&S, Honors deans relocate to Hickory

By Samantha Langley
Asst. Around the Town Editor

September 27, 2012

Photo by Hillary Akers

The former Health Services building, now renamed Hickory Hall, receives renovations before the College of Arts and Sciences and the Esther G. Maynor Honors College move in.

The old nursing building now renamed Hickory Hall will become the new space for the Esther G. Maynor Honors College and the College of Arts and Sciences deans offices.

Currently, the two are located on the second floor of Old Main, but the new space will include more square footage.

Dr. Mark Milewicz, dean of the Honors College, said that the new space will provide many more opportunities for the Honors College.

The new area will include a larger reading room and computer lab.

There is also a deck outside that the Honors College will be able to use for outdoor events. According to Dr. Milewicz, he feels that the space will have easier access for student use.

"The building is on the ground floor instead of being on the second floor like it is now. Students have to come up the stairs to find us. In terms of foot traffic, people can just walk in the main doors and they're there," Dr. Milewicz said.

Dr. Mark Canada, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, is excited about the space. The space will include more office space and a reception area where people can meet.

"I like the new space. I don't like spending all of my time in a classroom building, as I do now. I like to get out and see what students are up to and the location of the new space will allow me to do just that. It's close to the library and other student activities areas," Dr. Canada said.

The space is currently undergoing renovations.

According to Mark Vesely, facilities superintendent in Facilites Operations, these renovations have been minor.

Some walls have been knocked out in order to make the office space bigger and in these areas new flooring has been put in. The entire space has been repainted.

Outside of the building, a new gutter system has reccently been put in. Sometime during the spring, a new roof is to be put on the building. In years to come, a sprinkler system may be put in.

Both departments are receiving new furniture for the space.

The move is planned to occur sometime before the end of the year.