The weather outside hasn’t been too frightful, so the continued progression of Miller Hall has been delightful.

Thanks to some cooperation from Mother Nature over the past several weeks, the new Miller Hall continues on track for completion in August of 2020. A $10 million investment, Miller Hall will provide students with comfortable and contemporary living spaces. Named after James (Class of ‘52) and Donna Miller, the residence hall will feature suite-style living with the majority of students having a private bedroom and shared bathroom, kitchenette, and living room, depending on the floor plan. Additional amenities include student lounges, study rooms, a student-centered multipurpose room and workout area, and laundry facilities on each floor.

After a wet beginning to the fall season, Jodi Benjamin, Vice President of Finance and Administration, said favorable weather has resulted in construction crews staying on track for an August completion. “With the wet weather in early fall, we were worried it might push our timeline back,” she said. “But we have a great team with Lund-Ross (Constructors), who through working weekends, and improvements in the weather, have us on schedule.”

Construction is to the point where the building is nearly enclosed, which means interior work should be at full speed at the start of the new year. “The next big milestone is that we should be enclosed by the beginning of January,” Benjamin said. “Miller Hall is weatherproofed around the sides, and they anticipate getting the roof on the week of Christmas, which will be a great Christmas present for us. Once they are protected from the elements, they can commence with interior trades.”

Benjamin said the progression has everyone on campus, and the community, enthusiastic about what’s taking place with Miller Hall. “When things are moving over there, people get excited,” she said. “We are excited and believe that a contemporary living space for our students will allow them to build relationships and make new connections, which helps cultivate academic success.”

Miller Hall is going to be a state-of-the art facility that is another element of Midland’s mission to inspire students to learn and lead in the world with purpose. As the university prepares for the future, it is also making sure to embrace its past in honoring Men’s Memorial Hall. Historic items from Men’s Memorial Hall, which was taken down to make room for Miller Hall, will live on in Miller Hall. Limestone pieces from Men’s have been saved and will be a part of the new structure. A brass plaque that contains the name of the 22 men, who either attended or graduated from Midland, who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II will also have a new home at Miller Hall. “We have important pieces from Men’s that are a part of our rich history at Midland,” Benjamin said. “We are excited to upgrade, but those are memories that are important to us, and we want to preserve them.”

To follow the continuted progress on the construction, click here.