The brand-new Schallenkamp Hall at Emporia State University got a verbal seal of approval from its namesake at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.
Kay Schallenkamp, Emporia State’s 14th president and the first female university president in Kansas history, was all smiles at the invitation-only ceremony inside the facility. She recounted a visit she had with a friend in South Dakota shortly before coming back to Emporia for the celebration.
Current President Allison Garrett cited Schallenkamp’s impact while at ESU through the development of the President’s Scholars program, the rollout of the Gender and Equity Studies department and the first use of the Power E athletics logo. The decision to name the new residence hall in Schallenkamp’s honor came in February 2018, and Garrett said it was an easy choice.
Kay and her husband, Ken, a business professor, served at ESU from 1997 to 2006 and still come back to Emporia periodically. She says her main goal was student success.
The 91,000 square-foot building will house over 320 students when the fall semester begins in mid-August. It incorporates a learning commons with a classroom, music practice rooms and an art studio, as well as several community lounges and special learning spaces on other floors.
Numerous companies helped with construction, including Crossland Construction Company, HTK Architects, KWK Architects, Latimer, Sommers and Associates and Evergy.
A public open house with self-guided tours is slated from 1-3 pm Saturday.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
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