After a long year away, the EduGators have finally come home to Norman Hall.
This fall students and faculty returned to their classrooms eagerly awaiting the beginning of a new school year, and the start of a new chapter in Norman’s story.
Since opening more than 85 years ago, little has changed within the revered halls, but it was time for some much needed updates to keep pace with changing technologies available to educators in practice.
“The renovations will make the building more suitable for preparing the educators and educational leaders who will address the educational opportunities and challenges of the future,” said Glenn Good, Dean of the College of Education.
Getting back to it
Today faculty and students can see improvements that have been made to foster the education of future educators and educational leaders who will continue to better the world after graduation. New study rooms, increased outlets and new technology has been added to the building to encourage student development in a modern world.
“It’s a better environment with the updates and how easy it is to change the layout of the classrooms for different classes,” said Audra Bowers, sophomore health science student. “Even just walking by the classrooms they look really nice and it makes me want to go to class.”
Samantha Wicks, sophomore elementary education students, enjoys being back in Norman and having her classes all in one building this semester.
“It’s nice to not have to run from one building to another, all my classes are here,” said Wicks. “And when I get here early it’s nice to have a place to sit down.”
Bringing the past with us
The team behind Norman Hall’s renovation, Scorpio, made sure to preserve history of the building for years to come. By saving the original bricks and tilework from the hallways, restoring the ornate ceiling of the historic classroom and refurbishing the P.K. Yonge lockers, Scorpio and their tradespeople were able to conserve the atmosphere for future EduGators.
“I appreciate the history of it, it’s cool that we’re in one of the more historic buildings,” said Samantha Wicks, sophomore. “The building itself is so pretty. It’s old, it’s been here, it’s established rather than something brand new.”
Construction on the conference center and the ground floor of Norman is still ongoing, but students have already found their spot to work between classes in the newly added study areas around the building. Noah Huggins, freshman education minor, prefers studying in the new areas of Norman over the rest of campus.
