An
Improved First Impression
For
many, it’s their first
impression of Smith College: a meeting room inside the building
at 8 College Lane used by admission personnel to introduce
prospective students and potential applicants and their families
to the college.
The first floor of the admission visitor center was
gutted to create a roomy, well-lit space. |
The building's exterior is receiving new siding, a new
brick entryway and a trellis-covered patio. |
But until now, the meeting room
was small, cramped and in need of refurbishing, attested
Karen Kristof, senior associate director of admission, who
has briefed countless families in the space.
“We give
information sessions twice a day all year (and on Saturdays
from mid-July until the end of January),” she said. “Since we are
the first impression that prospective students, parents and guidance counselors
have, we need a space that is large, well-appointed and welcoming.”
Thanks
to a summer renovation of 8 College Lane, those in admission
will now have that handsome, roomy welcome space that is
so important for making the right first impression.
The building’s
location is ideal for the presentation space because of its
commanding view of Paradise Pond and its proximity, directly
across the street, from the admission office at 7 College
Lane, explained Charlie Conant, senior project manager in
facilities management, who is overseeing the renovation.
The
construction, due for completion later this month, consists
of gutting the entire first floor to create a larger space,
Conant said. The project also includes installation of two
accessible bathrooms and a kitchenette, as well as a new
heating and air conditioning system, new windows, finishes,
furniture and a multimedia projection system.
In addition,
new siding will be applied to the building’s
exterior, and a new entryway will be added with a trellis-covered
brick patio.
“This will be a wonderful
place for our visitors and we are grateful for the college’s
support,” said
Kristof.
|
