FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03/21/07

Renovations to Provide Future Home of School of Education

GREENVILLE, ILL. - When Greenville College moved to a three-school system of academic governance last autumn, the preexisting undergraduate and graduate programs in Education were united under the School of Education. With this change came the opportunity to create a new education center, gathering these offices in one location.

When the college's Music Department relocated to the Whitlock Music Center one and a half years ago, Greenville College decided to house the School of Education on the newly vacant first floor of the LaDue complex. The offices making up the School of Education will be moving from the 200 level of Hogue Hall and various other locations across campus.

According to Dr. David Hoag, senior vice president for Advancement, the anticipated cost of renovations for the first phase of the multifaceted project will cost approximately $300,000 and cover extensive upgrades to the building's ground level. Piasa Commercial Interiors of Collinsville, Ill., is working with Greenville College on the project. The renovations began on Tuesday, January 9, and the college expects the first phase of the renovation to be completed in May.

New programs have emphasized the college's need for expanded office space. Currently the co-directors and administrative assistants for GC's graduate studies (MAT/MAE) and Undergraduate Teacher Education Partnership (UTEP) programs are working out of two 9-by-16 offices. There is no conference room for staff meetings or work space available. In addition, the director of Field Experience is located in Snyder Hall away from the rest of the staff and professors.

The renovated area will provide offices for the director of Teacher Education and administrative assistant, the co-directors and administrative assistants of the MAE/MAT and UTEP programs, the coordinator of Graduate Studies in Education, the director of Field Experience, and the director of Student Teaching/Early Childhood Education coordinator.

Throughout the process, the School of Education is being represented by Dr. Kenneth Schmidt, professor of Education, who is involved with recommending placement of walls and complying with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible design standards.

With the new facility all staff members will be under one roof with individual office space. In addition to offices, a meeting/work room will be utilized for compiling packets for the undergraduate and graduate programs and all offices will be handicap accessible.

"As of last fall, the School of Education had about 600 majors including traditional, off campus partnerships, and graduate programs," said Schmidt. "There are plans to add Special Education [courses] to both UTEP campuses and Music Education to the Lewis and Clark campus. We will continue to grow over the next few years, so this facility will help ease this expansion."

The renovation plan has multiple phases. Eventual improvements will include adding an elevator that services all four floors; renovating the fourth floor with two smart classrooms, faculty offices, and a lounge area for students; and possibly renovating Ladue Auditorium by adding stadium seating so it better serves as a lecture hall.

Greenville College is a four-year accredited Christian liberal arts school with more than 1,450 traditional undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree completion students. Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the college is located in Greenville, Ill., 45 miles east of St. Louis.

CONTACT:
Joel Goodman ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Greenville College
(618) 664-6515