Stearns Project Breaks Ground

On Thursday, April 22, 2008, amidst bright sunshine and a stiff wind, the college hosted a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the $7 million renovation of Stearns Hall that will turn that hulking, nearly 40-year-old structure into a comprehensive student center.

Clad in white DEW hard hats, JSC President Barbara Murphy, chairman of the Vermont State Colleges board of trustees Gary Moore, Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Robert Clarke, Dean of Students Dave Burgh, Department of Writing and Literature chair Andrea Perham, SGA president Jon Harris, and members of the construction and design companies working on the renovations spoke briefly about the significance of the project.

President Murphy noted that the rebuilding of Stearns would provide a true student-centered building offering everything from performance venues to vastly improved dining facilities. “This will be a real coming together place, a real wonderful place to be together,” she said.

Murphy also pointed out that the project has facilitated renovations in Dewey as well. “One of the nice spillovers of this project is the work we’ve been able to do in Dewey,” she said, noting the relocation of the bookstore to the Dewey lobby and the eventual addition of new classrooms.

Andrea Perham commented on the close ties between classroom experiences and campus living and the difference the new facility will make to the quality of life on campus. “We faculty are absolutely certain that all the wonderful learning in our classroom is buttressed to life on campus,” she said.

Mike Smith, of DEW construction, spoke of the importance of students as a part of the future. “We couldn’t be happier to be involved in a project that’s business is the future,” he said.

The estimated date of completion for the Stearns renovations will be during November 2008; however, the kitchen and new dining room should be fully operational before the fall semester begins.

(The accompanying photo is by Sarah Lamb, and is of John Harris, David Bergh, Gary Moore, Barbara Murphy, Robert Clarke, and Andrea Perham.)