Published:
Central hosted the first of eight scheduled ribbon cuttings on July 23 at Henry Barnard Hall.
The celebratory events will serve as the finishing touch on several construction and renovation projects that were completed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which postponed many planned university events.
The Barnard Hall construction and renovation project was one of many outlined in the university’s master plan of 1999. The project wrapped up in December 2020 and serves as the centralized home of the university’s School of Education.
Barnard Hall now includes a 9,500-square-foot addition of 24 new offices, three new conference rooms, and a community room. The addition was designed in the Georgian style to blend with the architecture of neighboring Davidson and Willard-DiLoreto halls. Renovations to the existing structure include new a new central HVAC system, fire alarm upgrades, electrical and ceiling work, and window replacements.
In her remarks to approximately 140 guests, Central President Zulma R. Toro said, “Barnard Hall is not just a structure; it captures the heart of Central’s original mission to serve a new generation of educators. I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey. Together, we have created a space that embodies the spirit of learning, collaboration, and community.”
Image
(From left) Tony DiNapoli of the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Division of Construction Services; Central Chief Operations Officer Sal Cintorino; Dr. Paula Talty, interim dean, School of Education; Central President Dr. Zulma R. Toro; Lloyd Blanchard, vice president for administration and chief financial officer, CSCU; and Peter Simmons and Jennifer Vigneault of the DAS Division of Construction Services. (Photo by Shelly Sindland)