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  • Federal Hall: ISU officials dedicated Federal Hall Scott School of Business Friday afternoon.

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  • Dedication: Federal Hall is the former United States Federal Building located at 7th and Cherry Streets on the Indiana State University Campus.

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  • Reception: Don Scott chats with well-wishers after the dedication of Federal Hall Scott School of Business Friday afternoon.

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  • Welcome: Michael J. Alley, Chair, National Campaign Committe MARCH ON! The Campaign for Indiana State University welcomes those attending the Friday afternoon dedication of Federal Hall Scott School of Business.

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September 8, 2012

ISU’s Federal Hall dedicated

$20M transformation of building to hold Scott College of Business

Sue Loughlin The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — The “garden level” commons area of the Scott College of Business overflowed with people, and enthusiasm Friday, as Indiana State University dedicated Federal Hall.

The historic downtown structure, formerly known as the Federal Building, underwent a more than $20 million transformation to become the new home for the college.

It also serves as ISU’s first academic building south of Cherry Street, putting it close to downtown Terre Haute.

“This is an incredible facility that marries the architectural features of the past with the technology of the future,” said ISU President Dan Bradley. “Thank you to everyone who helped make this a reality.”

Much of the dedication was devoted to thanking the many donors and others who helped make the project possible. The college is named after Donald W. and Susan Scott, who made a significant contribution.

Federal Hall opened in time for the start of classes this year. Among those benefiting is student Jessica Weesner, a Networks Scholar. “The building makes it exciting to go to class and to learn,” she said. She and other students feel “very fortunate” to be the first generation of students that get to study there.

She recalled the college’s former location in one of the Statesman Towers. “I am thrilled to no longer have to walk up five or more flights of stairs to get to class, sweat profusely in the basement or have a long wait for the elevator,” she said.

With the new facility’s up-to-date technology, “I’m even going to be able to plug my laptop in at my own desk rather than sitting in the back corner of a classroom,” Weesner said.

State Sen. Luke Kenley, who was instrumental in state support for the project, praised ISU for the finished product. “I think we can all see what a beautiful, fabulous building this is, and to the students, it’s going to be inspiring and motivating,” he said. “It’s just going to be so inviting to them.”

The building, which was originally constructed in 1935, features many traditional art deco elements of the era. Schmidt Associates, the architect on the project, worked to preserve and restore many of those trademarks, from the judge’s library and the elaborate finishes on the elevator doors to the former federal courtroom.

The new dean of the college of business, Brien Smith, outlined some of the facility’s features: 30 instructional spaces; a larger, state-of-the-art trading room; expanded sales and negotiation classroom; a leadership complex for college student organizations; and a student advising and development center.

With those improved spaces, “We know that moving forward, we can help capture better the passion in students and help shape tomorrow’s leaders,” Smith said.

Perhaps no one was happier to dedicate the facility than Bruce McLaren, associate dean of the college, who worked with Schmidt Associates on the renovation plans. He has been involved in the project for the past 11 years.

He spent 32 years in the college’s former location, one of the Statesman Towers — initially built as a residence hall.

“That was temporary space. It was never designed for a university college,” McLaren said. “This building is inspiring to the staff and students, to be able to preserve the history as we have. It’s an honor for ISU to be given this opportunity to work with this beautiful building.”

Federal Hall blends history with modern technology for learning in the 21st century, he said. It also has lots of spaces that facilitate interaction.

With Federal Hall so close to downtown, he anticipates more interaction between the college and downtown businesses. Faculty want to pursue projects with the downtown business community, McLaren said.

More than 1,150 students, faculty and staff from the Scott College now are located just north of the city’s downtown.

Bradley says that Federal Hall “should  address our strategic goal of serving as a catalyst for downtown revitalization by placing more than 1,000 additional consumers in the downtown business district.”

City residents and downtown business owners will continue to use Federal Hall. New postal boxes are currently in use, and the self-serve postal kiosk that was available in the federal building is still located on the first floor.

Federal Hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, became available after the federal court moved into a new building. Indiana State worked with several government offices before the building was ultimately transferred to the university.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.

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