Baker breaks ground on living center

Baker University is once again making news during its 150th anniversary year.

Kansas’ oldest university broke ground on its newest facility that will house students and classrooms. Baker President Pat Long spoke at the ceremony Friday afternoon.

“October 26 has been a big day for me,” Long said. “Last year I was inaugurated on October 26 and this year we are here breaking ground on our new residence hall. Next year, let’s hope we will be breaking ground on our new science building. Wouldn’t it be nice to keep this tradition going?”

Long addressed the crowd of nearly 60 people about the changes that Baker will be making with the Living and Learning Center.

“We haven’t built a new dorm on this campus for almost 50 years,” Long said. “We finished our apartments in 1999. Today this groundbreaking starts really making some great changes here at Baker University.”

The $6.3 million, 51,000-square-foot center will be on Dearborn Street between Pulliam Hall and Jolliffe Hall on the north end of campus.

The three-story facility is expected to be completed by Aug. 1, 2008. In addition to housing for students, it will include two classrooms and a computer lobby.

“This residence hall is going to improve the living spaces for students,” Long said.

Although the new facility will be where the Harter Union parking lot was located, Baker officials said the university has more parking now than it ever did. A new parking lot north of Pulliam Hall recently opened.

After the new residence hall is complete, plans call for Denious Hall to be converted into a one-stop shop for financial aid, records and registration, admissions and business offices. Jolliffe Hall will become the administration building while the current administration building, Constant Hall, will be used for classrooms and offices.