The Good 5 Cent Cigar

Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Madelin Ortiz [From left to right] Robert Weygand, Andrea Bakalakis, Richard Mcintyre, Winifred Brownell, Robert L. Carothers, Jack Warner and Nancy Eaton cut the ribbon for the re-opening of Lippitt Hall.

10/09/08 - University officials were in full force Wednesday afternoon to show off the latest renovation efforts at the third-oldest building on the Kingston campus.

They gathered to watch a ribbon cutting ceremony for the re-opening of Lippitt Hall, the home of the Honors Program and math department.

"Lippitt is a grand old lady, but needed to be upgraded to provide good technology and learning spaces," said Paul Depace, the director of Capital Projects.

Everyone watched as mathematics professor Nancy Eaton, Arts and Sciences dean Winifred Brownell, URI President Robert L. Carothers and the Director of the Honors Program Richard McIntyre held the scissors and slowly cut the ribbon on the front of the Lippitt Hall steps.

The estimated cost of the renovation was approximately $8.9 million. Lippitt Hall was the third building on campus, and the first building to face the Quad. It is 111 years old. It was the first library and gymnasium, and also served as a dining hall and student common at one point.

Depace explained that the renovation process brought the building up to modern standards. The interior of the building was completely stripped and re-modeled. The first two floors now consist of the math department, with modern classes and offices.

Most classrooms in Lippitt also contain high technology support, including video projections. Not only was the entire interior of the building stripped, but they reconfigured the roof and installed new windows.

Depace said there are a few minor items left to be completed, but it will not affect the activity of the occupants in the building.

The front door still needs to be installed due to a delay in delivery, he said, and the main entrance is now located on the west side.

Additional concrete will be poured in the west entrance and new light posts will be installed. Depace said the building is now accessible for handicapped people.

Brownell believes the students are excited for the re-opening of the building, and she said the university is revolutionizing the teaching of mathematics.

She said the department of math services interacts with every student on campus because it is a required general education course.

"We are bringing two critical programs to the heart of the campus," Brownell said.

She said she believes the location of the building will attract students, especially with the new state-of-the-art technology now available. Brownell said with the new environment, students would be able to talk about ideas and engage in them.

Carothers said the 600 students enrolled in Honors courses will now be able to participate in a program unlike any other in the state.

"I hope we will be able to continue the restoration of this Quad," Carothers said.

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