The groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 1 marked the official start of the $80 million Hewitt Hall renovation project that will turn the former student union into a state-of-the-art home for SUNY Oswego’s School of Communication, Media and the Arts. 

Funding for the renovations comes from the SUNY Construction Fund, which is designed to support major building projects, and when completed, the 35,000 square-foot facility will bring 400 new jobs to the college.

SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, state legislators, construction and design partners and students were in attendance. 

According to Stanley, the project will create a nationally competitive hub for the college’s broadcasting, design, cinema and screen studies programs. In turn, this will encourage new students to join the School of Communication, Media and the Arts. 

Stanley opened the event by thanking project partners from the State University Construction Fund, DiPasquale Construction, Turner Construction, CannonDesign and SUNY Oswego students, faculty and staff. She also recognized the college’s Facilities Services team and members of the Campus Concept Committee and Hewitt Hall Steering Committee. 

Stanley reflected on how the Hewitt building has been used over the years. She explained that when she began her presidency at SUNY Oswego her team pondered what to do with the building, but it never served a specific purpose. This project has been on her mind since she started her job at SUNY Oswego and now will be the last project that she will finish before she retires. 

“As most of you know, this is my final capital project as president of SUNY Oswego,” Stanley said. “I am thrilled to see this transformative project moving forward today and for the generations of students, faculty and staff who will benefit from the new Hewitt Hall.” 

Dean of the School of Communication, Media and the Arts Julie Pretzat also spoke at the groundbreaking event and reflected on the detail that went into planning this renovation. 

“In multiple meetings over several years, we have reviewed the plans for the building, made recommendations, offered our input and expertise and are so pleased that we have finally reached this day of groundbreaking,” Pretzat said. The spirit of collaboration, creativity, vision and excellence that is at the essence of the work of our students and faculty will be captured in this $80 million renovation, creating the most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art home for media in the SUNY system and state of New York.” 

Developed with input from students, faculty and other stakeholders, the renewed Hewitt Hall has a target completion date of fall 2023. Exterior renovations are expected to be completed in 2022. The new building is supposed to be a place to host classes, labs, events and related activities that will help SUNY Oswego’s School of Communications, Media and the Arts compete with nearby schools such as Syracuse’s Newhouse School of Communications. 

This project follows the successful renovation of SUNY Oswego’s Tyler Hall that now houses the fine and performing arts programs and Wilber Hall, home to the School of Education departments. 

“Hewitt adds to a sweeping $850 million renewal program that has made our campus increasingly competitive in our academic programs and further promotes the academic excellence that exists at Oswego,” Stanley said. 

The Oct. 1 groundbreaking ceremony also featured remarks from Malatras, New York State Assemblyman William A. Barclay, New York State Assemblyman, alumnus and Alumni Association Board member Harry Bronson, who graduated in 1982. SUNY Oswego students also spoke, including Alexa Cox, a junior double major in broadcasting and mass communication and in political science and Alex Brooks, a broadcasting and mass communication major. 

Stanley closed the formal portion of the program by encouraging all attendees to gather around those with ceremonial shovels and hard hats, “so that you will forever be a part of this historic moment.” 

Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian