Olin’s undergrad administrative staff is enjoying its new quarters on the first floor of Simon Hall. Check out the shiny new offices, new BSBA lounge, and renovations of the Piper Grand Hallway (formerly known as Flag Hallway), on this tour led by Dean Steve Malter.
Halloween Fever is here. While creepy crawlies, cobwebs and skeletons are popping up in every yard around town, the Specialized Masters Programs (SMP) decided to do something fun on campus. On Friday October 24th, we brought out our very best artists to participate in a Pumpkin Carving Event. The afternoon was beautiful ! The sun was out just enough, the shade in the Simon Hall courtyard was keeping us cool and bright orange pumpkins littered every table. It was fabulous seeing everyone kickback, relax and break out a pair of carving tools. Creativity flowed in the courtyard along with food, drink and conversation. It was exciting to see everyone outside the classroom engaging in banter and a friendly contest.
The afternoon was all about taking a few minutes to sit together enjoy the weather and great company. While some focused on the carving, others, like me, simply walked around the tables exchanging stories and chatting. Yet others were busy at work – setting up the tables and tools, making sure the food had arrived and the drinks were kept cold. Every event has someone who takes over the logistics so the rest of us can relax and enjoy. Needless to say, thanks to this team the event flowed without a hitch.
The winning pumpkin
By the end, the pumpkins had a personality of their own. As I walked around the table pondering over which one to vote for, they came to life. One snarled at me, another wept, the corner pumpkin looked confused, one looked scary and yet another reminded me of a horror movie. Interestingly, a pumpkin sitting at the center of the table, brightly announced the program with pride. In the end we had a winner!
The pumpkin carving event was an afternoon well spent enjoying sunshine, great company and the bright orange spirit of Halloween.
Happy Halloween!
With free coffee and Einstein Bros. breakfast treats for all, students, faculty, and staff celebrated the renovations of Simon Hall that were completed over the summer. Chancellor Wrighton, Dean Gupta, Provost Holden Thorp, and Vice Chancellor Hank Webber cut a red ribbon to mark the event at a ceremony in Piper Grand Hallway (formerly known as Flag Hallway) on the first day of classes for undergrads, Monday, August 25, 2014. Hear their comments and watch the ceremony on the video.
Olin’s undergraduate program will be based in Simon Hall with administrative offices on the first floor. This is Phase I of a three phase renovation plan that will take place over the next two summers.
May Auditorium has been getting a major facelift this summer. The steps and rows of seats will be on a more gradual incline and a new lounge area at the entrance to the Auditorium on the lower level of Simon Hall will accommodate visitors, receptions and networking events.
Demolition started the day after graduation in the eastern half of Simon Hall and construction workers have been hustling all summer long to complete renovations in time for the start of classes in August. See the transformation of May Auditorium in this video just weeks away from completion.
Thanks to the Tarlton team for letting us record this behind the scenes preview.
videographers: Emma Kane, AB’15, Marc Neimeyer, AB’14
Summer is almost over and that means the Tarlton Construction team only has a few more weeks to complete Phase One renovations at Simon Hall. This is the July sneak peek behind the scenes at the work taking place in the eastern half of Simon on the lower level, Flag Hallway, and the Library. Check back for another video this week on the transformation of May Auditorium.
If you think campus is a quiet and peaceful haven for faculty and graduate students during the summer, think again! From Skinker to Big Bend, the Danforth Campus is buzzing with construction activity.
As soon as Commencement ceremonies concluded, our friends from Tarlton began the first phase of renovations in Simon Hall. This will be a three-phase project taking place over summer breaks to limit disruption during the academic year. The eastern half of Simon Hall is currently undergoing major demolition and re-configuration. As you can see in the video, May Auditorium, Flag Hallway, and the Kopolow Library are going to be transformed. The new BSBA offices, student lounge, and Einstein’s will be more open and spacious when everyone returns in the fall.
Sounds of drilling and hammering can also be heard inside Knight Hall and Bauer Hall, where the Bellwether classroom is being completed and the new café and much-anticipated Starbucks Café are being built.
To our west, crews are preparing the site for the new Sumers Recreation Center located on the south side of Francis Gymnasium, which will also undergo a major interior rejuvenation. Brown School’s new building is rising out of the ground to the east and you see several projects in between. Summer is construction season on campus!
I am looking forward to welcoming everyone back to campus in August and showing you our beautiful, renewed spaces for studying and collaborating with your peers and professors. In the meantime, enjoy your summer internships, research, and travels.
