Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members gathered on October 11 to rededicate Main Hall. Wagner's central academic building, which has served as the College's architectural signature since it was built in 1929–30, reopened for the fall 2012 semester after a year-and-a-half-long, $15 million restoration project.
Vice President for Administration David J. Martin, who oversaw the project, recalled that a couple of years ago, the College embarked on what was expected to be a $6 million, four-month project.
The architects and contractors, however, “quickly determined that the building was in more serious need of renovation,” said Martin. It would require more time, more funds, and the loss of the building's use for the entire 2011–12 academic year.
That meant that all Main Hall classes had to be relocated to other spaces on campus, faculty offices moved to Harborview Residence Hall, and all Main Stage shows performed at the Snug Harbor Theatre a few miles away.
Calling Main Hall “the heartbeat of our campus,” President Guarasci said, “It's so important for us to have saved this building and restabilized it. It represents everything that Wagner stands for. … We are rededicating not just a building, but a commitment to learning and to liberal education.”
READ MORE:
- "The Meaning of Main" by Sarah J. Scott
- Restoring Main Hall: A closer look at the $15 million project to save the face of Wagner College
