Duane Bonifer  |  Published November 02, 2017

Grier makeover

Iconic residence hall to undergo ‘top-to-bottom’ renovation

MONMOUTH, Ill. – One of Monmouth College’s iconic residence halls will receive a makeover.

Grier Hall will be closed at the end of this semester so that it can undergo a “top-to-bottom upgrade” that will accommodate students’ evolving living-learning needs.

The 24,000-square-foot, three-story residence hall – which can house up to 100 students – will be closed for about one year during the renovation. Current residents of the 77-year-old residence hall will be housed in the College’s other residence halls during the renovation.

The project, which is the first phase of a thorough renovation of the College’s oldest residence halls on the campus’ east side, is being paid for by funds donated to the College’s capital improvement fund.

“When this renovation project is completed, Monmouth students will live in an architecturally striking residence hall that supports their academic and social needs. It also powerfully enhances the College’s mission of a seamless experience of intellectual and personal development,” said Monmouth College President Dr. Clarence R. Wyatt. “It is a testament to the vision and leadership of the College’s Board of Trustees that the Grier Hall project is moving ahead. I also want to thank the students who are currently residents of Grier for their understanding and patience as they help us improve the living-learning environment at Monmouth College.”

Monmouth College Board of Trustees Chairman Mark Kopinski said the renovation of Grier Hall addresses a key need for the national residential liberal arts college.

“It is a shared goal of the Board of Trustees of Monmouth College and the administration to systematically address the infrastructure needs of the College campus,” said Kopinski, who is a 1979 Monmouth alumnus. “I join the Board of Trustees in enthusiastically congratulating President Wyatt and his staff in securing a generous donation to the College’s capital improvement fund to allow for the revitalization of Grier Hall.”

Built in 1940 and named after James Harper Grier, the College’s fifth president, Grier Hall was the third residence hall to open on campus. The Georgian-style brick structure was designed by noted New York City architect Arthur O. Angilly.

“While we embark on a top-to-bottom upgrade of the building’s infrastructure and layout, painstaking attention will be made to preserve important architectural details of this long-serving campus icon,” said Kopinski.

The renovation of Grier Hall will include new furniture, bathrooms and HVAC units.

Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students Laura Hutchinson said the renovation will make Grier Hall a “wonderful living-learning space for our students.”

“Your residence hall is your home away from home, especially when you attend a residential liberal arts college such as Monmouth,” said Hutchinson. “The renovation of Grier Hall is a great example of the College’s commitment to providing an outstanding student-centered experience.”

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