College receives $4 million donation
by Bessie Taliaferro '10As Hamilton College alumnus and Charter Trustee Stephen Sadove '73 and his wife Karin committed $4 million to the project, the Student Activities Board has finalized plans to transform Emerson Hall into a Student Center. Sadove hopes the Student Center will become a place for students to congregate. "My family and I have a lot of affection for Hamilton and we feel like this is a great way to give back to the college," said Sadove. "We believe that a student center is something that the college needs and students would benefit from."
Plans aim to preserve the building's quaint feel and improve its capabilities. "A building like ELS has so much history and character; it's such a warm building," said Director of Student Activities Lisa Magnarelli. "Making it modern and functional, preserving its historic value, and keeping it welcoming for all students is a tough balance. But I think we've found it."
Former College President Eugene Tobin proposed renovating ELS as a new center for student organizations in 2000. ELS was selected because of its central location and because it needs renovations; its top two floors are closed, and there are holes in the roof.
Construction will begin in June 2009 to completely recreate the building from the basement to the currently closed third floor. The completed ELS will be twice its current size. The Student Activities Board aims to create a space for clubs to meet, and for students to work and socialize.
The graffiti on the walls and dubious lighting of the ELS basement will be removed. "I know it will be sad," said Magnarelli, "it will not be the same ELS basement that exists now. It will look like a real room." The basement will continue to serve as a social space for parties and will include mobile tables and chairs. It will also incorporate more resources for bands to practice and perform, such as a drum kit and better staging.
The first floor will provide space for clubs to meet, as well as a potential coffee house and the bookstore. All of Student Media will be moved to the second floor, including The Spectator office and the WHCL studio, which will overlook Martin's way. Magnarelli hopes that the building's structure will encourage students to work together. "We're moving away from a private organization space and moving towards a public collaboration center. Very few groups need a door that locks," she said. "I think we've created enough space so that there's enough room for everyone." The Student Activities offices and the Dean of Student's office will also be on the second floor. The third floor will be used entirely as a student work area.
Sadove hopes the Student Center can be "a center for multicultural and diversity activities." He said, "there has been a lot of discussion about diversity recently, and I think that a Student Center is an opportunity to celebrate diversity as well as provide opportunities for all students on campus."
While the building's design has been left largely up to the administration, students will become more involved in deciding furniture and fabrics. The Student Center will open in August 2010. "Making the donation now will hopefully send a message for others that even during hard economic times it is important to support Hamilton," said Sadove. "The Board of Trustees had been talking about building a Student Center for a number of years, so I hope that my donation will accelerate its creation at Hamilton."