Now that the money has been raised, renovations can begin to a long-vacant building at Knox College. After a year and-a-half campaign, this month it reached the 11 million dollar goal for Alumni Hall. Knox president Teresa Amott says the 124 year old building has always served as a sort of "gateway" between the campus and city of Galesburg. And continuing that idea is the goal of interior renovations that'll start this summer.
"We're going to put admissions in that building, so it's the gateway to Knox for students from all over the world. And then while you're at Knox, it's the gateway to some important parts of the educational experience. It's the gateway to study abroad so our study abroad office will be there."
Offices for the community service and independent research programs will also move into Alumni Hall. Construction began in 1889, and the following year President Benjamin Harrison laid the cornerstone. Since then at various times it's been the location of administrative offices, a theater, lecture hall, and even the R-O-T-C rifle range. But it's been vacant in recent years, and was once considered for demolition.
"With today's attention to sustainability, the thought of tearing down the building just didn't appeal to us. And we thought let's think long and hard about how we can use the building in a way that's really contemporary."
Doctor Amott says Alumni Hall will also soon function as a "gateway" to life after Knox College, when it houses the career center and alumni office. Renovations should take about 18 months to complete.