College investing more than $1.4 million in campus improvements this summer

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College is investing more than $1.4 million in campus improvements this summer. Projects include facilities maintenance and sweeping campus beautification work, and purchases of new campus technology, scientific equipment, and vehicles.

The work involves the first phase of a heating and cooling control replacement project in the Academic Center; painting and landscaping of the Beaver Building; repairs and resurfacing of the tennis courts; and seating and lighting work in the William A. Robinson Theater. Additionally, parking lots will undergo repairs, and roof maintenance will be done on the Howard Miller Student Center. New boilers and air curtains on south-facing exterior doors also will be installed at the Howard Miller Student Center. The Information Technology Division is replacing network equipment and installing a new virtual environment storage array. Maintenance and IT are partnering to upgrade classroom audio-visual equipment in many areas. Finally, a complete renovation of two lab spaces in the Rhodehouse Memorial Science Hall will take place.

The total cost of infrastructure improvements will be $1.25 million, while the cost of new equipment purchases equals $180,000. The scope and cost of these projects are similar to recent years, with more than $30 million invested in campus facilities—including the James Pedas Communication Center—since 2009.

“We are delighted to have the resources to accomplish these projects that improve the infrastructure of the campus and provide an enhanced living and learning environment for our students,” Vice President for Finance and Management Robert Schmoll said. “We try to do something in all areas on campus.”

This work is being done concurrently with construction of the new Thiel College track and field complex. That project’s nearly $2 million cost is not reflected in the summer projects budget because it is not slated to be complete until next year.

Related Story

• Thiel College officials breaking ground Saturday for new track and field complex (May 28, 2015)