Arcadia University Renovates Academic, Residence, and Athletics Facilities

By Caitlin Burns | June 28, 2018

When students return to Arcadia this fall, they will see remodeled bathrooms in the residence halls, updated academic facilities such as an expanded DNA lab and a 3D design studio, and a renovated training center and aerobics rooms. No—Arcadia wasn’t featured on an HGTV home improvement show; these renovations were all part of the University’s annual upgrades of its existing facilities, designed to enhance the educational experience for Arcadia students, faculty, and staff.

Some of the campus upgrades and renovations include:

  • Bathrooms in Dilworth, Kistler, and Thomas residence halls were remodeled. Work on the Oak Summit apartments included renovations and upgrades to the HVAC of a dozen units, and HVAC, kitchens, flooring, and ceilings of 30 more.
  • Academic renovations include the construction of an eDNA lab in Boyer Hall, made possible by contributions from the Class of 1963, and the installation of a new anatomy table in Brubaker Hall, which houses Arcadia’s Public Health, Medical Science, and Business/Health Administration and Economics programs. 
  • In Spruance Fine Arts Center, students will see new flooring in the Printmaking Studio and the completion of the Brookside Studio, a woodshop, fabrication, and 3D design area.
  • Boyer Hall also saw the completion of a new laboratory for the Aquatic Biology program, which examines a variety of evolutionary and ecological issues within marine algal and select terrestrial ecosystems.
  • Athletics facilities scored several updates, including new lockers and flooring; upgrades to the athletic training center, strength and training center, aerobics room, and Alumni Gymnasium; a press box at the Jean Lenox West Field; added seating behind home plate for Blankley Field (softball) and new infield dirt and a warning track for Skip Wilson Field (baseball); and new seating for participants and spectators at Weiss Tennis Courts.
  • The University’s technology groups are continuing their work to refresh and enhance our networks and implement new technologies around the campus and in our classrooms to ensure that technology not only works at Arcadia, but helps us thrive.

“These renovations continue the work started in the 2017 summer,” said Tom Macchi, associate vice president of Facilities Management and Capital Planning at Arcadia. “The academic improvements, particularly the new 3D design studio and the DNA laboratory, allow us to offer access to the cutting-edge technology that is required to be relevant in the academic world plus the future workplace.”