COMING BACK HOME By: Erin Patterson
“THE SPACE IS WONDERFUL; HIGH CEILINGS, PERIOD COLORS AND MODERN SYSTEMS”
T
he historic anchor on the north
Departments of English and Classical and
students to participate in small-group work, as
end of the equally historic Drill
Modern Languages and Literature (formerly
well as major technological upgrades available
field, Lee Hall has reopened after
Foreign Languages). Classical and modern
in new “smart” classrooms now located in the
undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation
languages is on the first floor; English is on the
basement.
over the past two years.
second.
The four-story brick Beaux Arts building and
designated
Mississippi
Landmark
teachers
to
enjoy
a
more
interactive
is
said he and others in classical and modern
learning environment in more comfortable
among campus memorials to Stephen D. Lee,
languages “have been energized by the move
surroundings where students may better
the 136-year-old land-grant institution’s first
back to a renovated Lee.
express their thoughts and ideas.
president. Built in 1909, it initially served as an academic building and campus chapel.
“The space is wonderful; high ceilings, period
Another major change for Lee Hall is found
colors and modern systems,” he added. “Our
on the third and fourth floors that were
The recent renovation was not the first
faculty, of course, are overjoyed about their
damaged so heavily in the 1948 conflagration.
remodeling project. Probably the most extensive
offices and teaching spaces, both in terms of
The entire fourth floor now is home to offices
followed a 1948 fire that destroyed most of the
their central location on the Drill Field and just
of President Mark E. Keenum, while the third
third and fourth floors with damages estimated
the clean, bright, open internal spaces.”
has the offices of Dr. Jerry Gilbert, provost
around a million dollars. For decades, the venerable structure has been home to the College of Arts & Sciences’
12
Dr. Lynn Holt, interim department head,
Both agreed the improvements enable
Dr. Rich Raymond, department head of English,
and executive vice president, and David Shaw,
said he and his colleagues are especially excited
vice president for research and economic
about new seating options that will better enable
development.
VISION FALL/WINTER 2014/2015 | COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES