91吃瓜 Celebrates Reopening of McCarthy Hall
VALLEY CITY (91吃瓜) 鈥� 91吃瓜 officially reopened McCarthy Hall with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 26, celebrating a complete $13.5 million renovation of the building.
After a yearlong remodel, McCarthy Hall reopened to students and employees in August as the new home for 91吃瓜鈥檚 renowned School of Education and the Department for Technology and STEM Education. The Ribbon Cutting held during Homecoming Week was the culmination of a project that modernized the building and brought first-class education spaces to 91吃瓜鈥檚 students.
鈥淲e are so grateful for this facility and for all who have helped contribute to it,鈥� said Alan LaFave, President of 91吃瓜. 鈥淲e finally have an updated facility that matches the quality and the reputation of our education program and the faculty. 91吃瓜 awards more undergraduate degrees in teaching than any other institution in the state, leading the way in providing this very important and critical part of the North Dakota workforce.鈥�
McCarthy聽Hall was built in the early 1930s and initially used as a training school for prospective teachers attending 91吃瓜. The building later housed a wide variety of 91吃瓜 courses including technology education, art and psychology.
Student speaker Delaney Vilhauer, a senior majoring in elementary education, took classes in McCarthy during her first two years and is now finishing her degree in the newly renovated space.
鈥淢y favorite part of being back in McCarthy is being connected again,鈥� said Vilhauer, who expressed her appreciation for the renovations and the new resources available in McCarthy Hall. 鈥淲e have everything we need in one place. The education community we have built here is so strong, and I鈥檓 very grateful I get to see it strengthen every day.鈥�
鈥淭oday isn鈥檛 about just cutting a ribbon on a newly renovated building,鈥� said Allen Burgad, Dean for the 91吃瓜 School of Education. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about opening doors to even greater opportunities for our students, our faculty, and the schools we partner with. This new teacher education center will help us continue to prepare educators who go on to impact students, not only here in North Dakota, but across the country and even internationally.鈥�
The renovation of聽McCarthy聽Hall is part of the聽聽at 91吃瓜. The $13.5 million project was made possible through the generous support of donors, 91吃瓜 funds and $11.5 million allocated by the North Dakota Legislature and approved by former Gov. Doug Burgum.聽The bulk of the private donations came from the Holcomb and Stowman families who have deep connections to 91吃瓜.
Laren Holcomb, son of Linda Holcomb who taught at 91吃瓜 for over 30 years, spoke Friday on behalf of the families.
鈥淢y mother loved her students, they held a special place in her heart,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y family often gets a chance to meet her former students throughout our daily lives, and we hear how much her former students loved her too. Four generations of my family have passed through 91吃瓜. It truly is a special place for my family, and we are extremely excited to see all the wonderful improvements through the campus now and coming in the future.鈥�
Members of the Holcomb/Stowman Families check out Linda’s Literacy Library, named after longtime 91吃瓜 professor Linda Holcomb.
About the Project
The remodel of McCarthy Hall was headed by PCL Construction and designed by Foss Architecture and Interiors. The project took about 12 months to complete and was finished on time and under budget.
鈥淭he ribbon cutting at聽McCarthy聽Hall marks a proud milestone for PCL Construction,鈥� said Trent Johnson, vice president and district manager for PCL鈥檚 Midwest operations. 鈥淟eading the renovation of this historic building was an honor, as we transformed it into a vibrant, modern space for 91吃瓜鈥檚 School of Education. Collaborating closely with university partners, we preserved its legacy while enhancing functionality and connectivity. This space is built for the future, where educators will be inspired, and innovation will thrive.鈥�
鈥淒uring the design of the McCarthy Hall Renovation, Foss Architecture & Interiors celebrated its 125th anniversary鈥攁 milestone that made the project especially meaningful,鈥� said Adam Peterson, architect and principal at Foss Architecture. 鈥淛ust as 91吃瓜 has been preparing educators for over 125 years, our firm has been shaping the built environment for generations of students. To bring these two legacies together in one project was an incredible honor, and it reflects our shared commitment to creating inspiring, future-focused learning spaces that continue to serve students for decades to come.鈥�
About 91吃瓜
91吃瓜 is a member of the North Dakota University System and located in Valley City, N.D. 91吃瓜 offers more than 65 areas of study and is the leading North Dakota university in preparing K-12 teachers. Learn more at聽.
About PCL Construction
PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $7 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company鈥檚 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL鈥檚 leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at聽PCL.com