Salisbury University’s campus has had a rich history of buildings. Constructed in 1925 as the “Salisbury Normal School,” the name of this institution has been changed many times and gone through several iterations as we reach the 100th year of the university’s establishment. This semester, construction has begun at Blackwell Hall to accommodate the first of a series of changes on campus.

Throughout the years, Salisbury University has had many buildings come and go. Blackwell Hall has been around for most of the institution’s history.

Originally built in 1957 as the College Library, in 1966 it was renamed “Blackwell Library” and served as the school’s library until the Guerrieri Academic Commons was constructed in 2016. Then, the building was renamed “Blackwell Hall” to reflect the change in purpose.

As University President Carolyn Ringer Lepre stated in a public relations article, “…it will welcome both current and future students as a one-stop shop for everything from admissions to advising, and much more.”

According to the same article, it is funded by $19.2 million in state funding, provided by the state legislature and governor.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Blackwell Hall was held on Oct. 10, 2024.

During her groundbreaking speech, Lepre emphasized the purpose of the new building.

“It will serve students after their first time on campus as a place for academic advising, admissions, orientation and financial aid,” she said.

Mackenzie Thompson, a junior majoring in Respiratory Therapy, also spoke on her experience at Salisbury University and her excitement for Blackwell Hall, expressing the inspiration she felt from a prominent political figure in attendance.

Wes Moore, the current Governor of Maryland, made an appearance at the groundbreaking ceremony to shake hands, greet members of the community and give a speech to the crowd that had gathered outside the Blackwell Hall construction site.

“This building is more than just infrastructure… it’s the realization of a hope,” he said. “When you walk inside of the building we want you to see the expectations that we have for you.

“The Blackwell hall will be a model for how our institutions can create stronger bonds that may start on campus, but will continue on after you leave campus.”

Governor Moore reiterated that the project would not have been able to happen without collaborative leadership.

“This renovation is only possible because all levels of leaders of the state came together.”

Students, faculty and other attendees were able to tour the inside of Blackwell Hall to get a full glimpse of the ongoing construction site. The plans for the future completion of the project in 2026 were displayed in diagrams.

There are plans to change Red Square as well, as pictured in the image above. The plans involve removing the school’s iconic red bricking spiral that is in front of the Guerrieri Academic Commons.

Those who toured the interior of the construction site were able to see the floor plans for the project.

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By ZOE CLARKE

Editor

Image courtesy of Zoe Clarke