(Published Thursday, March 29, 2007 11:09:22 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Frank Schultz Gazette staff
Work has begun on UW-Rock County's new engineering laboratory, and a much larger project is set to start in two or three weeks.
"This is absolutely amazing for a campus this size," said UW-Rock Dean and Campus Executive Officer Diane Pillard.
UW-Rock's last two building projects were 18 years apart.
Pillard was speaking Wednesday at the school's second groundbreaking ceremony this month, this one for Allen Hall and associated renovations on the Janesville campus.
The two projects have one other thing in common: Both benefited from private donations.
UW-Rock County Assistant Campus Dean for Administrative Services Michael Pierick takes visitors through the phases of construction for Allen Hall at Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremonies.
Dan Lassiter/Gazette Staff
"Rock County's commitment to education is clearly evident with construction taking place on both ends of this campus," Pillard said.
Area businesses and foundations paid for the engineering lab. Allen Hall will benefit from pledges exceeding $1 million, all raised locally through the UW-Rock Foundation.
Foundation board President Scott Bordwell recalled Pillard pulling him and another board member aside to discuss fund-raising. The $1 million figure came up.
"We looked at each other and said, 'Are you crazy, a million?'"
But raise it they did.
Allen Hall will house UW-Rock's new library, its biggest lecture hall and a student commons that will have a capacity of 360, the largest of any room on campus.
Allen Hall continues the tradition of naming UW-Rock buildings after prominent county residents.
Marion Allen, who died Feb. 4 at age 98, was a longtime contributor to UW-Rock and its students, Pillard noted. She started the Silent Angel Fund to help students in emergency situations. She also contributed to the library project long before she was considered for the honor.
Pillard called Allen "our fairy godmother."
But Allen didn't deserve the honor for her dedication to UW-Rock, Pillard said. Rather, it was for her support of the county in general. She supported the Milton School District, historical societies, the Boy Scouts and the senior citizens of Milton, for whom she funded The Gathering Place, a senior center.
"Yes, she was philanthropic by nature, but her Southern graciousness and her heartfelt compassion for others is what earned her recognition today," Pillard said.
Attending the ceremony was Allen's only grandson, David Allen Casarotto of Utah.
"I'm very honored to be here on her behalf," Casarotto said after the ceremony.
Casarotto said Allen donated to UW-Rock and to her alma mater, the University of Georgia.
"She was very committed to the continuance of work of this educational institution," he said.
Rock County taxpayers will pay most of the cost of the $11.2 million Allen Hall project, after the county board voted unanimously to fund it.
"This is indeed the right course of action to pursue, as we all commit to assisting the students of today to gain further educational opportunities that will better prepare them to become our community leaders of tomorrow," said county board Chairman Richard Ott.
"It just doesn't get any better than this," Pillard said. "What better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this campus?"
The project
The first of three phases of the UW-Rock County library project, Allen Hall, is a circular structure that will include the Gary J. Lenox Library. It is expected to be completed by Jan. 21.
The second phase will include remodeling the space vacated by the current library in the lower level of Andrews Hall, slated for completion in April 2008. It will house student tutoring resources and faculty offices.
Phase 3 will include expansion and remodeling of Hyatt Smith Hall, which will continue to house administrative functions, classrooms, a bookstore and cafe, expected to be completed by Dec. 28, 2008.
