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9.17.08
 
Left: Dr. Steve Sniteman, pictured top, helps student William Brunson. Right: Students in Graphic Design I work on assignments.
Erskine renovates signature building
Erskine College's signature building was renovated during the summer and is now being used as a classroom facility.
The Erskine Building, notable for its towers, had been utilized in recent years partly for education and also for storage, according to Greg Haselden, vice president for finance and operations.
"The idea was to maintain the historical integrity of the building while modernizing it," he said.
Once commencement took place last May, work began to improve the building aesthetically as well as technologically.
Haselden said the Bell Enrichment Committee approved funding for the technology improvements and the project was designed with the help of Pazdan-Smith Group Architects of Greenville.
Besides the addition of some classrooms and the renovation of others, faculty offices were improved, new egresses were installed along with a new stairwell and an elevator.
Restrooms were renovated and a new handicap restroom was added in the lobby of Lesesne Auditorium on the second floor of the building. Lesesne was renovated a couple of years ago.
There was also a lobby area created in the building, new furniture was moved in, windows were replaced and central heat and air were added for the central portion of the building.
The towers also received attention - the clock is again working and plans are to have the bell ringing on the hour, Haselden said.
In recent years, the building has been in obvious need of a makeover, but since the completion of this summer's efforts, he said, "We can now be pleased to take people through the building for (prospective student) tours and other visitors to campus."
Assistant Facilities Director Charlie Dickerson was at the forefront of the project and was instrumental in getting the renovations complete by the time students returned to classes, according to Haselden.
One of the standout improvements from a student viewpoint is the addition of a graphics lab, which Dr. Steve Sniteman said was made possible by a team effort.
"Erskine President Dr. Randall T. Ruble, Executive Vice President and Dean Dr. Donald V. Weatherman and Greg Haselden provided the space and the funding to equip the lab with the latest equipment and software that allows our students to enjoy creating and designing in a facility that is the envy of educational institutions in South Carolina," Sniteman said.
He said the college's information technology staff members -- Director Bobby Clarke, Associate Director Michael Armstrong and Tech Specialist Jonathan Cann -- were the "true creators and heroes" of the installation of the graphics lab.
"They worked out the myriad of technical details, ordered the equipment and integrated the software with the hardware, and put the entire lab together," Sniteman said. "No detail was left to chance. It was a Herculean task, especially given the time constraints."
The lab was equipped with 18 24-inch IMAC computers and software that permit the instructor to observe students as they work and allow the instructor's screen to be projected on all student computers, he said. Two 52-inch Sony HD monitors project the instructor's screen.
Sniteman offered kudos to the facilities department for its work and to benefactor Paul Grier of Greenville for donating funds that will allow students to mount and display their work.
"While the lab was designed to be the best educational graphics facility in the state, it serves a dual purpose," Sniteman said. "By incorporating the latest statistical software, the psychology department can also use the lab as a statistical facility."
On the first floor of the building now are five faculty offices and a green room, while there is one faculty office, an education library/classroom and classroom on the second floor, and 13 faculty offices, one testing/psychology lab with seminar room and eight classrooms, including the graphics lab, on the third floor.
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