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Rudd, other summer improvements completed
August 10, 2012

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Rudd Auditorium took the spotlight this summer, but students will see other improvements when they return to campus in a few weeks, according to Vice President for Operations Tim Hostetler:
  • Summit students listen to a lecture by John Stonestreet
    in the newly renovated Rudd Auditorium in July.
    See renovation photos here.
     
    A patio similar to the Shakespeare Garden outside the library has been added to the Latimer Student Center outside the SubZone
  • A new railing like the one around the Shakespeare Garden has been installed between Huston Hall and Mercer Hall
  • A concrete venue for bleachers has been added to the soccer field.
Rudd’s makeover, however, will provide the most dramatic “before and after” contrast as the building has received the first significant overhaul in its nearly 40-year existence. Chief among the improvements have been repair and reupholstering of seating, installation of a new digital sound system and speakers, relocation of the sound control booth and recording studio, and creation of a lighting deck.  New carpet, new floor treatment under seats on the main floor, a pull-out stage for speakers, painting, new lighting, and a new energy-efficient air conditioning system are also part of the upgrade.

“We were able to address some of the infrastructure issues and improve the appearance in Rudd,” Mr. Hostetler said. “I’m very happy with what we accomplished, and we have gotten some positive feedback about how it looks.”

Project Funding

While alumni, friends, faculty, and staff provided funding for the  Rudd renovations (read about the ongoing Rudd project here), special funding for other summer improvements was provided as follows:
  • The new railing between Mercer and Huston was made possible by a grant from the Huston Foundation and continues the motif set at the library.
  • The new seating at the soccer field, funded by gifts by alumni, continues long-range efforts to improve intercollegiate athletics facilities.