Facelift for a Grand Dame'
Those who enter the HSU campus by the Cedar Street entrance probably wonder what the construction crews are doing to the venerable Hunter Hall.
More than a dormitory, Hunter Hall was a refuge, a study center, and social centerpiece in the lives of Hardin-Simmons University women since 1947. Still vibrant with memories, “The Girls’ New Dorm,� as Hunter was originally called, was named in honor of the late Judge Jesse C. Hunter, with initial funding from the oil industry. It is currently used to alleviate dormitory overcrowding and houses the Offices of Advancement and University Communications.
Hardin-Simmons University has long needed a dedicated welcome center to better serve prospective students and special guests of the University. This, coupled with the need for an attractive façade at the Cedar Street entrance (which would complement the Logsdon complex and the Johnson building) made Hunter Hall, with its ample first-floor lobby, the logical choice for the new facility.
The renovation, scheduled for completion in time for Homecoming (Oct 27-29), will convert the east side of the building into a grand, aesthetically pleasing entrance with structural elements that mirror other buildings in the immediate area. The new welcome center will feature a drive-through entrance with stately columns, and a beautifully restored lobby. The lobby will retain the decorative features familiar to those who called Hunter Hall home while attending HSU, but upgrade amenities for guests and hospitality staff.
Although staffing details are still being worked out, the welcome center is seen as the starting point for a prospective student and/or guest’s HSU experience. An information desk is planned to meet the individual needs of visitors, and guests will have elegant grouped seating and an available coffee/beverage area. Signage will direct guests to the center.
Although parking is somewhat restricted during the current construction phase, re-striping the parking lot will result in a net gain of parking spaces, even with the drive-through entrance. Some of these spaces will be designated for visitors only, but there should be a similar number of spaces for students and staff when the center opens.
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