The University of Mary Washington rededicated the fully renovated Woodard and Mercer halls in a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 18 in Woodard Hall.
Fred Rankin, rector of UMW’s Board of Visitors, said the renovated buildings demonstrate the University’s devotion to excellence. “These re-purposed and expanded facilities also demonstrate the university’s commitment and dedication to preservation and improving on the structures that we already have on this beautiful campus.”
Begun in the spring of 2014, renovation of both buildings was complete by fall 2015, and move-in began that winter in advance of the spring 2016 semester.
Opened as the campus center in 1987, Woodard was named for Prince Briggs Woodard, UMW’s president from 1974 to 1982. The building allowed for the expansion of Campus Walk and linked the northern and main portions of campus.
Now home to the College of Business, the renovated space, including an addition on the building’s south side, features modern lecture halls, spacious faculty offices and a comfortable lounge with a digital stock ticker. Below the College of Business is a full-service post office, express eatery and broadcast booth for the student-run WUMW radio station.
“It’s been quite a journey to get here,” said Ken Machande, associate dean in the College of Business, noting that faculty shared space in Chandler Hall for about 12 years before being displaced to make room for the 100,000-square foot University Center. During the three-year renovation of Woodard, the business faculty taught in classrooms scattered all around the Fredericksburg campus.
“Students and faculty are happy and proud to call Woodard home,” he said.
Associate Professor and Chair of Psychological Science Dave Kolar described Mercer Hall, the new home to the Department of Psychological Science, as “a fantastic space.” The department also was relocated with the 2013 demolition of Chandler Hall.
Named for Hugh Mercer, who practiced medicine in Fredericksburg and served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, Mercer Hall opened in 1950 as the campus infirmary. It was remodeled to include counseling services and used for office space during the 2010 Monroe Hall renovation.
With additions to its north and south ends, the new Mercer includes classrooms, plus computer, cognitive psychology, social/developmental and physiology labs. The building also features facilities for behavioral research with animals, collaboration rooms, a student lounge and more.
Self-guided tours followed the ceremony.