Rededication held celebrating completion of Peltier Hall Auditorium renovations

      The Harvey A. Peltier Auditorium was rededicated Tuesday during a ceremony attended by faculty, staff and the Peltier family.

      The rededication began in the lobby of the facility with an introduction by President Hulbert and moved inside the auditorium so the new technological capabilities could be demonstrated.

      “Some things have been added in here which makes it a much more multipurpose facility,” Assistant Vice President of Administration and Purchasing Mike Davis said.

      Also revealed at the rededication was a new entranceway, a lobby designed to hold more people, handicap accessible ramps and restrooms, and energy efficient double insulated tinted glass windows.

    In the auditorium, the renovated seating reduced the capacity from 1000 to 775 people; however, the seats are larger and more comfortable than before.

    Davis said he believes once professors become accustomed to the technology in the auditorium, they will want to use it for classes based on the positive faculty feedback he has already received.

      “So far, the comments we’ve gotten from faculty regarding the results of the project are all positive and upbeat.”

    The renovations, which are part of a $25 million reconstruction plan currently taking place on campus, had two phases. Phase 1 started in the fall of 2010, and phase 2 was completed in May 2011.

      Phase 1 of the project included new lighting, sound, a rear projection system with a large screen, an acoustical shell as part of the stage, a blue ray movie player and television capabilities within the computer. A touch screen panel is provided on the commentator’s stand to easily control lighting and all of the new technology.

    “All of these features are at the teacher’s fingertips,” assistant director of computer services Slade Besson said.

    Phase 2 focused on upgrades to the outside of the auditorium. These upgrades consist of new doors being installed to the entrance of the auditorium and new landscaping outside of the building.

      “We are very proud of it (the auditorium), and I think the students will be very proud of it,” Davis said.