Williams Hall
A center of world discourse, discussion, news, and information
Program summary
Over the next decade, Lehigh University is ensuring that its physical campus plan supports its academic mission by providing spaces that inspire our students and faculty and allow for impromptu and intentional learning. Williams Hall, built in 1903 and located in the heart of the university’s beautiful Asa Packer Campus, was vacated in summer 2010 after its departments were moved to the new STEPS facility. The move creates an opportunity to renovate and reinvigorate the century-old 63,000-square-foot building into a dynamic center for academic studies and student activities that foster interdisciplinary relations and shared resources.
Williams Hall will serve two principal goals: provide one-stop-shop for student services and offer active and invigorating spaces for academic initiatives that have global and international components. In addition to providing academic classrooms, office space, and facilities that foster international collaboration and discussion, the building will consolidate student affairs offices and other student services-oriented departments. The renovations will have far-reaching impact on Lehigh’s learning and living environment. The project:
- Brings together an array of globally-oriented programs to foster advances in research and teaching.
- Creates an integrated, cross disciplinary environment for global and international studies.
- Enhances student support by consolidating student affairs offices and related departments in one location, for maximum efficiency and convenience.
- Integrates academic and student life, a principal goal of Lehigh’s strategic plan for student affairs.
Impact on other buildings
In addition to creating a center for the study of globalization and an integrated student affairs center, the project will have a domino effect that impacts programs and facilities across campus.
- The University Center. Even with student activity space at a premium, many administrative functions have absorbed space in the building. Taking student affairs functions to the revitalized Williams Hall will re-establish the University Center as a true student center and a vital hub of student activity.
- Grace Hall. Vacant space in the University Center will be used, in turn, to house the Office of Student Activities and the Community Service Office, currently located in Grace Hall. This shift will allow for the renovation of Grace Hall to include a state-of-the-art Caruso Wrestling Center, as well as additional space for recreational activities, team meetings, and other functions that benefit the athletics program and help recruit top students.
- Maginnes Hall, Alumni Memorial Building, and more. Student affairs functions across campus will be consolidated in Williams, creating much needed office and meeting space for other departments and functions.
Funding opportunities:
- Classrooms and seminar rooms
- Lecture halls
- Faculty offices
- Office spaces for visiting professors (Fulbrights and post-docs)
- A welcome area/atrium that serves as the focus point for collaboration and interaction among students, faculty and staff.
- Gallery/public spaces
- Globalization center
- A lounge and wireless area for more informal faculty and student interaction
- One or more global classrooms that will allow videoconferencing and collaborative teaching with colleagues and students from around the world
- Dean of Students offices
- Center for Academic Success
- Student Services offices: registrar’s offices, financial aid, admissions processing and bursar’s office
For more information, please contact the Office of Advancement at (800) 523-0565.