Ceremonial groundbreaking marks beginning of University Hall renovation

Purdue held a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday (Sept. 30) on Memorial Mall to launch the renovation and restoration of University Hall. 

The private event featured remarks from Purdue President Mung Chiang, Purdue historian John Norberg and David A. Reingold, senior vice president for policy planning and Justin S. Morrill Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. 

“The 2023 Homecoming ceremony to restore the oldest standing building on campus, University Hall, is also a rededication of our support to the study of humanities, the arts and social sciences at Purdue, where our faculty, staff and students continue to carry out top notch research and learning in these areas essential to our university,” President Chiang said. “Our respect to the rich history of University Hall is matched with resources to create new student-centered spaces.”

Opened in 1877 and partly funded through John Purdue’s founding donation, University Hall has been used for classrooms, was home to Purdue’s first library and a chapel and once served as the president’s office. The building was last remodeled in 1961.

“With this project, we honor University Hall, Purdue University’s oldest and most iconic building,” Reingold said. “It is fitting that we are restoring it as a vibrant, student-centered hub and the new front door of the College of Liberal Arts. When this project is complete, campus tours will proudly walk through this reclaimed crown jewel of Purdue.”

The $26 million renovation project includes a complete restoration of the four-story, 34,200-square-foot building, with much-needed study and collaboration spaces, updated classrooms and welcoming student-services spaces.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to reimagine University Hall to reflect its historic elegance and its centrality as a gathering place for students,” said Lori Sparger, associate vice president for policy planning and chief operating officer for the College of Liberal Arts. “The restored University Hall will be a great point of pride for everyone who loves Purdue.”

The renovation of University Hall is the central component of a broader $46.6 million initiative encompassing renovations in Stanley Coulter and Beering halls. Updates include modern working and study environments, the creation of a 180-seat active learning classroom and a languages and culture hub, providing a new home for the Department of English.

The Purdue for Life Foundation is launching a $5 million fundraising campaign to support the University Hall renovation, which offers alumni, friends, and fans the opportunity to partner with John Purdue.

For more information on how you can be a part of the renovation project, contact David M. Williams, chief development officer for the College of Liberal Arts, at dmwilliams@purdueforlife.org or 765-427-0527.