EUGENE, Ore. – (Feb. 25, 2013) – Alyssa Gritzmacher has logged some serious walking time in her pursuit of a journalism degree. For 18 months, the senior and her fellow University of Oregon J-School classmates made the cross-campus trek to Agate Hall, the temporary home of the School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) as Allen Hall underwent a $15 million renovation.
The trek came to an end Jan. 7, when SOJC students, faculty and staff returned to a transformed Allen Hall that combines traditional classrooms with labs and informal gathering spaces. To Gritzmacher’s way of thinking, it’s the perfect way to wrap up her college career.
“It makes such a difference to have us all in a central location,” said Gritzmacher. “But more importantly, we have a home. As soon as I walk into the atrium, I am bound to see a familiar face or someone I know.”
And just like home, students are always welcome. Students take full advantage of Allen Hall 3.0’s 24-hour access to SOJC majors. On every level of the three-story transformation, faculty and students gather in both large and small groups. And if Twitter and Instagram are any measure, that energy rarely slows. (#LifeasaJstudent)
“In the two months since we welcomed students back to Allen Hall 3.0, we have had the rare opportunity of not only seeing a vision become a reality but to have that reality exceed our expectations,” said Edwin L. Artzt Dean Tim Gleason. “From the collaboration areas to the conference rooms to the Digital Commons, the creative energy in Allen Hall 3.0 is remarkable to behold. I look forward to showing it off on March 1 and thanking everyone who made it possible.”
The School of Journalism and Communication will celebrate the new building and the donors who made it possible on March 1 in the Allen Hall atrium. The ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. SOJC ambassadors will guide tours immediately following the ribbon cutting.
Refreshments will be provided at the free, public event. Attendees are encouraged to come and enjoy, tour and explore the new Allen Hall, while socializing with alumni, classmates, faculty, staff and the Oregon Duck mascot.
The Master of Ceremonies will be Corey duBrowa, senior vice president of global communications, Starbucks, and past president of the UO Alumni Association board. University of Oregon President Michael Gottfredson, and Gleason, the SOJC dean, will speak at the dedication and celebration of the new Allen Hall. Please RSVP at journalism.uoregon.edu/allenhall.
About the new Allen Hall
Allen Hall’s three-story transformation, affectionately dubbed Allen Hall 3.0, puts collaborative learning and innovation at its heart. The project added 18,000 square feet and seamlessly combines traditional classrooms with labs and informal learning spaces designed to serve how students work and learn. Private gifts, including a $5 million anonymous lead gift and more than 90 contributions ranging from $10 to $300,000, covered half the costs of the $15 million renovation. State general obligation bonds authorized by the 2009 Oregon Legislature funded the remainder of the project.
About the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication
The University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) produces outstanding writers, editors, digital media makers, strategists and critical thinkers by providing a school grounded in ethics, innovation, action and social responsibility. Students hone their skills while participating in award-winning student media such as Flux, OR Magazine, Mosaic and Oregon News, and more than 10 student groups including Allen Hall Advertising, Allen Hall Public Relations and the National Broadcasters Association. The SOJC hosts the annual Journalists- and Executives-in-Residence programs, as well annual events including the Ancil Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism, the Hulteng Conversations in Ethics and the annual Johnston and Ruhl Lectures. The school counts nine Pulitzer Prize winners among its more than 9,000 graduates (journalism.uoregon.edu).
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is among the 108 institutions chosen from 4,633 U.S. universities for top-tier designation of "Very High Research Activity" in the 2010 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO also is one of two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kellee Weinhold, UO School of Journalism and Communication, 541-346-2897, kelleew@uoregon.edu
EVENT CONTACT: Erika Vogt, events manager, 541-346-2494, evogt@uoregon.edu
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