PRESQUE ISLE – Members of the campus community and friends of the institution caught their first official glimpse of the newly-remodeled Normal Hall Faculty Lounge on Thursday, Feb. 7, when the University hosted a grand opening reception.
About 75 people attended the unveiling, including two very special guests from KeyBank. The Key Bank Foundation donated $5,000 toward the project. The foundation, funded by KeyCorp, is rooted in the belief that economically self-sufficient individuals are empowered to face the challenges they encounter as they aspire to achieve their dreams. Steven St. Pierre and Brian Flewelling, both vice presidents at KeyBank in Presque Isle, were recognized during the event.
University President Don Zillman called the donation a marvelous, much-needed gift from a kind of guardian angel.
“KeyBank has been a great supporter of this project and the University,” Zillman said. “We are delighted that this partnership resulted in such a vibrant and dynamic new space on our campus.”
With the donation from KeyBank and funding from the University’s 2007 Annual Fund Campaign, the Normal Hall Faculty Lounge has been outfitted with new flooring, lighting, furniture, a fresh coat of paint and accent furnishings in order to create a more welcoming campus gathering place.
Project officials said that as part of the project, much was done to preserve the architectural nature of the facility, including the early 20th century ceilings, moldings and window casements. Years ago, when Normal Hall was a dormitory building, the Faculty Lounge served as a dining commons and a student gathering place.
With the lounge fully completed, university officials already are looking forward to the next campus remodeling project. They are hoping to tackle the dining room area directly adjacent to the faculty lounge.
Photo courtesy of UMPI
UMPI AND KEYBANK officials celebrated during the grand unveiling of the newly remodeled Normal Hall Faculty Lounge. KeyBank donated $5,000 toward the project. Enjoying the festivities are, from left, John Defelice, chair of the lounge remodeling committee; Steven St. Pierre, KeyBank vice president; Brian Flewelling, KeyBank vice president; and Keith Madore, the university’s director of alumni relations.
Photo courtesy of UMPI
An historical photo of the Normal Hall Faculty Lounge, with a group of students gathered to toast marshmallows at the fireplace.
