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Release
UAlbany's Rockefeller College
Dedicates Newly Improved Milne Hall
Contact: Karl Luntta (518) 437-4980
 ALBANY,
N.Y. (October 12, 2004) -- The University at
Albany today dedicated its newly refurbished
Milne Hall, one of the oldest buildings on the
UAlbany campus and home of the nationally ranked
Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.
"Rockefeller College is one of the finest
public affairs schools in the nation,"
said University at Albany Interim President
John R. Ryan. "This new space reflects
the school's dedication and efforts to constantly
renew itself to meet the challenges of educating
future generations."
"This project shows the significant improvement
that can be achieved while respecting historically
important structures," said Rockefeller
College Dean Frank J. Thompson. "Rockefeller
College has long had first-rate academic programs
located in aging facilities. This project is
a major step toward eliminating that disparity.
We are indebted to all those at the University
who made this possible."
The University spent $445,000 to refurbish
some 10,000 square feet of space on Milne Hall's
first floor, which houses the college's administrative
office and public spaces. Included in the rehab
was a newly outfitted conference room, new carpets
and furniture, and an original sculpture called
"Reverence," by artist Terri Boor.
The renovation is the second phase of a multiyear
project designed to update Milne Hall's administrative
spaces. In 2003, some 17 second floor offices
and public spaces were renovated in a $250,000
refurbishment.
"We want to create a visual identity
for Rockefeller College and its administration,"
said University architect Diana Delp, who designed
the space. "Our goal is to provide the
college with direction, a visual anchor point."
Milne Hall, opened in 1929, is one of the
oldest buildings on the University at Albany's
downtown campus, and was one of three buildings
(with Page and Richardson halls) added to the
then-New York State College for Teachers on
the original Western Avenue campus. The building
was named for William A. Milne, a former president
of a distant precursor of the University, the
New York State Normal School. In 1905, Milne
headed the transitions of the Normal School
to the four-year liberal arts college the New
York State Normal College. The three new buildings
were designed by the state architect Sullivan
W. Jones, and constructed at a total cost of
$825,000.
Until 1977, the building housed the school's
practice junior and senior high school, the
Milne School. It served several purposes until
Rockefeller College occupied it in 1982, and
has been the home of the college since.
In "America's Best Graduate Schools 2005,"
U.S.News & World Report
ranked the Rockefeller College Public Affairs
and Policy number 10 in the nation, and placed
several of its programs in the top 10:
· Information Management & Technology
- 4th
· Public Administration & Management
- 6th
· Public Finance - 9th
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