"What really drew me to the College was the fact that I knew I would get a lot of ‘real world’ experience. My hands-on experience was invaluable. MCLA supports its students, doing what it takes to get them into new experiences that will later prove to be stepping stones into a career."

Matthew Panuska ’99
Employee Communications Manager, Pepsi-Cola Company
May 05

 

May 
2005
 

As the weather outside warms and brightens, work continues.

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Click on any thumbnail for the full picture.

This first picture comes in to the lowest level of Murdock Hall from the south. Workers are still using temporary lights but you can see that the ceiling areas and all of the brick are prepared for the next level of renovation. The second picture shows what was once the business office in the southwestern corner of Murdock Hall. This particular corner with the large window was once occupied by Jerry Desmarais. The third picture shows the entryway of the tunnel that once connected Murdock Hall with Taconic Hall. The tunnel will ultimately be used as a conduit to Smith House for data and electrical lines. When the renovation is completed, the only access to this tunnel will be through a small access door.

This next group of pictures is taken on the first level of the building. This will be the hallway that will support the Computer Services Office as well as the Helpdesk and the User Helpdesk. This next series of pictures shows the construction of the new support columns that are being installed in the building. As doorways are made wider, support columns need to be added. These first two pictures show such a support column and how it is braced to the existing brick. The third picture shows the reinforcement bar that is placed into concrete to establish these support pillars for our new hallways and doorways.

The two workers standing on scaffolding are in what used to be the TV Studio on the second floor of the building. You can see the detail of the ceiling area with the steel reinforcement beam running through. These men are installing spacers between the rafters that will accommodate wiring, heating, plumbing and location of new walls. The second picture shows a greater detail of these spacers.

We spent two pictures looking at the ceiling; let’s spend one picture looking at the flooring. You can just make out the original wood floors in the building and several other layers present in the building. During the last eight weeks, a portion of the task was to remove all of the old flooring. We anticipate saving some of the old flooring in two conference rooms in the building. This will be determined after the old floor and glue is removed.

The first picture shows the glove bags used to remove insulation from the pipes in the building. The second picture shows the finished product with all the insulation removed from a section of pipe.

These last two pictures are taken in the attic of Murdock Hall. It was noted several weeks ago that a hole needed to be made in the roof in order to move out the old mechanical systems from the attic. This is the opening that was used for that removal as well as bringing back in to the building new heating ducts and air exchange fans. The second picture shows the gleam of the new heating ducts and air ventilation system coming in to the building.

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