Students passing through campus this fall may have noticed something unusual. While many of the halls are busy with activity, Kirkwood Hall is quiet. No students or even faculty have been seen entering or leaving the building. So what’s happening inside Kirkwood Hall?
In the 2025 spring semester, renovations started taking place in Kirkwood Hall. Kirkwood vice president of Facilities, Public Safety & Operations Troy McQuillen has overseen every step of the process. The aim of the project is to modernize the building. “It’s not a bunch of new square footage, but it’s new paint, new carpet, new lighting, as well as a whole new look,” said McQuillen.
Before the renovations began, Kirkwood Hall was home to many essential parts of the college. The first floor was mostly mechanical space, the second floor housed the Advising Center and the third floor included the President’s office, Human Resources, Information Technology and an onsite data center.
The academic advisers have since relocated on the first floor of Nielsen Hall. The data center has permanently moved to the recently purchased East Hall and HR is also there, but only temporarily. The skywalk connecting Iowa Hall and Kirkwood Hall has been closed since construction started.
With Kirkwood purchasing East Hall last year and the building having a more modern data center in it, the data center that was originally on the third floor of Kirkwood Hall will now have more room for human resources offices.
“We have added more privacy offices into (the third floor), as well as updated the lighting, painted all the walls and updated all the mechanical equipment,” said McQuillen.
With the building being constructed in 1988, many of the mechanical systems were considerably outdated, according to McQuillen. With much of the piping still being around from the 80s, it was a big focal point to upgrade all of the infrastructures of mechanical rooms.
“We’re hoping that we’ll begin to start the punch list process here by the end of November. So that’s walking around with each of the contractors and identifying things that still need to be repaired or fixed,” he said.
Once renovations are complete, Kirkwood Hall will feature upgraded mechanical systems and modernized office spaces. This will make for a more functional environment for faculty who work in Kirkwood Hall and will make the campus infrastructure more sustainable for years to come.
“Kirkwood is always innovative. We’re always reaching for the next level of education. We’re always trying different programs. We’re always working toward a lot of success,” said McQuillen. “So, a big part of that is making sure the space can accommodate those.”
McQuillen said he has his eyes set for everyone to return to Kirkwood Hall by the mid-part of the upcoming 2026 spring semester.
The Advising Center will return to the second floor and the President’s office and Human Resources will return to the third floor, all with a new, modernized look.
Categories: Campus News, News
