20 Harding’s campus underwent many changes leading up to the fall 2022 semester, including renovations to Brackett Library, Armstrong Hall and George S. Benson Auditorium. The Brackett Library, last renovated in 1990, had changes made to the second floor. With mauve and turquoise as the color scheme for 32 years and old carpet that began to ripple, renovations were in demand. In only four weeks new carpet was placed, walls were repainted, new endcaps were added, the stairs were redone, chairs were replaced with more comfortable options, and four study rooms were added to the northeast corner. “We listen to the students and what they want,” Jean Waldrop, director of Brackett Library, said. “Hopefully we’ve made it kind of a homey feel up there.” The interior architecture for the Armstrong and Benson projects was completed by some of Harding’s own. Alumni Toria Welkner and Kaela Stitt planned and designed the projects, adding a personal touch to the renovations. “I’m thankful that Armstrong was remodeled,” Emily Myers, residence life coordinator for Armstrong, said. “I think it’s important for the incoming freshmen to have a good space to move into and to be welcomed to campus.” Armstrong received a number of changes and was under construction for eight months. Tiles that once lined the walls were removed, bathrooms were gutted and redone, a community kitchen and study rooms were added, an allergy NAILED IT Multiple buildings on campus receive renovations. wing was created, and new heating and air conditioning units were installed. Myers appreciated the expanded lobby the most of all the renovations, as she thought it would be good for building community in the dorm. A surprise to many students as they returned to campus were the changes made in Benson Auditorium. The most obvious changes were done to the bathrooms. Built in the 1970s, the Benson was created with seven stalls in the women’s bathrooms and twice as many in the men’s. With the 2022 renovations, the women’s restroom had 23 stalls, and the men’s had 15. Additionally, the Benson received new carpeting, new heating and air conditioning units, upgraded electrical, and all new lighting. Each of these buildings’ renovations were completed with the needs of the students in mind. Each project was in the works for multiple years, waiting on other projects to be completed and to determine how to best complete each task. “What I would like people to know is I witnessed the commitment of the University to make it better,” Mike Steelman, director of architecture, said. “The commitment of the University to follow through and put the resources towards the projects needed to fix the problems is encouraging.” Written by: Grace Hurt HITTING THE STACKS Students study on the second floor of The Brackett Library. The library was one of many buildings to be renovated during the summer of 2022. Photo by: Grace Hurt
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