With just a few months remaining until the White Hall Classroom Building is reopened for the Fall 2026 semester, the space is deep into renovations. The upgraded building boasts 46 classrooms, open natural lighting and enhanced ADA accessibility. These improvements lay the foundation for a significant campus-wide impact.
“I think everyone is eager to be back in White Hall after the building has been out of commission for two years,” said Angela Walton, capital construction manager senior in Facilities Management Planning, Design and Construction. “Students will feel the positive impact of this project both inside and outside of the building and find many more spaces to collaborate, learn, meet and hang out. It feels like a brand-new building.”
That excitement is shared by students as well.
“It’s exciting to see White Hall get a full transformation,” said Madison Lubin, an integrated strategic communication junior in the College of Communication and Information. “It’s a place almost every student experiences, so having a refreshed, modern space will make a big difference in how we learn and connect.”
The building still has a few more steps to go until it is ready to open for operation.
“The contractors are working top-down on this project. On the third floor, only small remaining finishes and furniture installations have yet to be completed,” Walton said. “On the second floor, classroom furniture has been delivered, and the installers will be putting everything together over the next couple of weeks. The first floor is really coming along as wooden wall panels, vestibule entrance construction and resilient flooring installation are all well underway.”
In addition to massive updates inside, the outside will include new seating and collaborative spaces.
“We are in the process of selecting exterior improvement finishes and furnishings,” Walton said. “This will really engage the outdoor spaces for students.”
Outdoor seating is not the building's only new feature, with Walton expressing her own excitement for new upgrades.
“I am incredibly pleased with the new, improved Mathskeller space,” she said. “It is in a fantastic location that is easily accessible on the second floor.”
The project is on track to open for the Fall 2026 semester.
“We spent a great deal of time planning this project, an aspect that is essential for a successful project timeline and budget,” Walton said. “We worked with faculty from many different departments, the registrar's office, campus planning, the provost’s office, and many others throughout design. This extensive and diverse thought process will allow us to open a building that reflects the vast intellectual disciplines the university offers.”
Learn more about this and other campus construction projects.