President Morris reflects on recent campus renovations and upcoming facility enhancements.
As president of the University, I often attend ribbon-cuttings when we open a new or renovated space around campus. This ritual is, of course, a nice photo opportunity to mark an important milestone and celebrate all the hard work, planning, and financial investment that has gone into the project. But in early April, when we snipped the scarlet ribbon to open the beautifully renovated Rebert Hall, it struck me as so much more. The excitement from the students in the room was real and served as a clear reminder that for these young people living on their own for the first time, St. Lawrence is not just college—it’s their “home away from home.”
Starting in 2023, the University has invested in a series of high-impact facilities enhancements. Once complete, the estimated $30 million project will have both transformed critical campus infrastructure and improved key aspects of student life, especially residence halls. We have prioritized those projects that improve our students’ home on campus, and their reactions have been very positive. It used to be that Rebert was the residence hall students tried to avoid. And as much as our alumni have enjoyed bonding over the shortcomings of their old dorm, it’s gratifying to see Rebert Hall become one of the most sought-after residences on campus.
And as much as our alumni have enjoyed bonding over the shortcomings of their old dorm, it’s gratifying to see Rebert Hall become one of the most sought-after residences on campus."
–Kathryn Morris
In addition to the Rebert transformation, many of the residence hall lounges throughout campus have been improved with new flooring, freshly painted walls, new finishes, upgraded furnishings, climate control updates, electric fireplaces, smart TVs, kitchenettes, and more. I’ve heard that the first-year Lee Hall lounges are so comfortable and inviting, even juniors and seniors are hanging out in them. As part of our broader sustainability efforts, dimmable LED lighting has also been added to the rooms in Rebert, allowing students to adjust the brightness for studying or relaxing.
This summer, we are also adding dimmable lighting to all residence hall rooms as we work on the completion of the north wing of Rebert and the north wing and main entry of Lee. By next summer we will be renovating Whitman. We’re always looking for new ways to draw students out of their rooms and into healthy social settings, so it’s been wonderful to see them enjoying the firepits that have been added to several outdoor gathering spaces throughout campus. The improvements in key community spaces like the Owen D. Young Library and the Sullivan Student Center have further enhanced campus life and our students’ sense of belonging.
And once the donor-funded George W. Karpus ’68 Athletic Center at Appleton Arena is completed in the fall, it will positively impact our entire campus community. The new Karpus center will create a dedicated space for DIII student-athletes, opening up more space for all students in the current Stafford Fitness Center. Not only are all these improvements critical to offering the best possible experience to our students, but research—including a 2022 survey of college students by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse—shows that the quality of the physical spaces on a campus plays a role in high school students’ college selection.
It’s been rewarding to be able to offer more modern comforts and conveniences to our students, while also making progress toward our energy sustainability goals. These updates include heating and cooling upgrades, LED lighting throughout campus, and electric vehicle charging stations installed in parking areas. In addition, we’ve installed two new outdoor solar-powered charging tables that provide off-the-grid power day or night to recharge cell phones, tablets, and laptops.
We’re looking to expand on these successful initiatives going forward, and of course, we are grateful for philanthropic support for these initiatives from our alumni, parents, and friends. As I reflect on yet another successful Reunion Weekend when over 1,100 Laurentians came back to enjoy campus, I remain energized by the many favorable comments we received on our facilities upgrades. I am very proud of the work we’re doing to make St. Lawrence a welcoming home for past, current, and future generations of Laurentians.
