The newly renovated Bert Walker Hall will be the new “front door” of Jackson College – and it will be rededicated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8 on the Jackson College Central Campus.
Bert Walker Hall was built in 1971 and is the last of the College’s original academic buildings to be updated. In addition to the renovation of the 57,000-square-foot existing building, a 12,000-square-foot addition has been built, with large community meeting rooms, study areas, a reception area and more. Walker Hall will now house all student services and related support services, including admissions, advising, financial aid, multicultural affairs, student government, veteran services, foundation studies, international studies, TRiO Student Support Services and the Center for Student Success. Of course, there are also learning studios (classrooms) and the “Sandbox” Center for Innovation. The building has been updated with new electrical, heating and cooling systems, new roofing systems and a second elevator. To fund the construction, Jackson College received $7.6 million in Capital Outlay funding from the State of Michigan, and used institutional debt financing to match that same amount, for a $15.2 million project total.
Community members are invited to the rededication ceremony, which will include a short program, tours of the facility and light refreshments.