Outlook Magazine - Fall 2019

ON CAMPUS

sound familiar to all who have walked on or near UW-Stout’s campus has gone away temporarily — Sounds of Silence Clock Tower bells quieted during renovation project; North Hall, Price Commons reopen A the Clock Tower bells in Bowman Hall.

The five bells, which sound the Westminster chime every quarter hour during the day and evening and ring for special occasions, were silenced in May because of ongoing renovation on the historic building. Workers are putting a new copper roof on the tower, refurbishing the quill weather vane and repairing doors, brick and steel supports. The work is part of an $8.95 million renovation project that began in spring 2018 and will end in October or in spring 2020, depending on the weather. The bells still can be rung for special occasions, such as funeral tolls for retirees and employees. Most of the Bowman Hall work has been on the exterior, replacing about 30,000 damaged bricks, mortar throughout and some brownstone accents. New, historically accurate windows and doors are being installed. Also, the one-floor extension on the south end that houses Registration and Records was renovated inside, exposing original brick and beams. Bowman Hall was built in 1897 by James Huff Stout, the university’s founder. North Hall, built in 1967, was completely renovated for $21.74 million. It features a new main entrance, new lounges in the center and new bathrooms, which were moved to the exteriors of the building as part of 14,000 square feet of new space. All student rooms were updated. Merle M. Price Commons, also built in 1967, fully reopened in August after a $7.57 million first-floor renovation. Changes include new glass entrances, a new patio on the west side and a central fireplace lounge, along with renovated student services offices and a new Qube — the LGBTQ resource center. The second-floor, previously remodeled, houses a student cafeteria; it remained open during the renovation. Although Bowman Hall work continues, two projects have wrapped up for the start of the 2019-20 academic year.

Top and middle: Workers have been repairing and replacing brick and stone on Bowman Hall and the Clock Tower; bottom: construction workers making renovations to North Hall.

6

U W - S T O U T O U T L O O K