Miami University is setting the stage for a transformed humanities experience, with the revamped Bachelor Hall ready to open its doors for classes this fall. According to a report from Miami University's own news service, the two-year renovation project has updated the space to foster a more interactive and collaborative environment for students and faculty within Miami's core humanities departments.
The modernized facility consolidates several departments under one roof, creating a more unified humanities community. Bachelor Hall will now house the departments of English, History, Media, Journalism, and Film, and Philosophy, alongside the Altman Institute for the Humanities and other key programs. Renée Baernstein, dean of the College of Arts and Science expressed her enthusiasm about the project's completion, stating, "It's going to transform how the humanities operate and are experienced by Miami students and faculty," as reported by Miami University's news service.
Among the key supporters of the project is alumnus John W. Altman, after whom the Humanities Center has been renamed the Altman Institute for the Humanities. Tim Melley, director of the institute, highlighted the significance of the facility, describing it as a "powerful symbol" of the university's commitment to the humanities. The space will serve as a venue for numerous educational activities, including "lectures, seminars, labs, research collaborations, and public-facing projects," he told Miami University's news service.
The renovation also includes state-of-the-art media production facilities, which are expected to greatly benefit the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film. Department chair Rosemary Pennington conveyed her excitement about the new opportunities the space will afford students: "Anything they can dream up, we can make happen in the new space." Adding that the update allows the department to "showcase the humanities in really important ways," in a statement obtained by Miami University's news service.
Prospective students and their families are getting a sneak peek at the future of the humanities at Miami through "Make it Miami" tours this spring. According to Pennington, it's crucial for visitors to envision themselves within these new spaces. Moreover, the grand opening ceremony for Bachelor Hall is slated for September, following a summer filled with events, as stated by Baernstein. With new features like a modern TV studio, a 68-person multipurpose space named the Bachelor Great Room, and a spacious atrium, Bachelor Hall is poised to become a hub of humanities education at Miami University.
The updated premises boast 20 classrooms and 141 offices, marking an expansion in square footage from 112,000 to 120,418. The first major overhaul since its inception in 1978, the renovated Bachelor Hall is designed to inspire and support academic excellence. Baernstein praised the effect of the built environment on work, affirming, "Working and studying in a space that is purpose built, where we feel the institution supports and cares for our work, is a powerful driver of excellence," in her statement to Miami University's news service.
