The William E. Simon Center for Economics and Business and McCartney II are among the campus expansions awaiting the Lafayette community this fall
By Bryan Hay
William E. Simon Center for Economics and Business
The transformation of the former Kunkel Hall into the new home of the School of Business and Political Science is complete, and the bright, sun-filled facility now welcomes faculty and students.
Students and visitors enter the new, four-story William E. Simon Center for Economics and Business through a soaring glass foyer, the highlight of which is a frosted champagne-colored metal framework. Flooded with natural light, the building offers new dynamic academic spaces – a data lab, eight smart classrooms, a lab with 12 Bloomberg terminals for monitoring financial data in real time, 23 economics offices on the second and third floors, and three policy studies offices on the first floor.
Photos by Adam Atkinson
Given that 20% of Lafayette students study economics, David StifelCharles A. Dana, professor of economics and department chair, says the new Simon Center on Sullivan Road reflects a steady interest in the field of study and in high-tech equipment designed to help students succeed. Their work is supported by the Bloomberg Data Lab, which provides real-time global financial data and news and offers students the opportunity to earn a Bloomberg certification before entering the job market.
In fall 2022, construction and renovations began to transform Kunkel Hall after the biology department moved to its new home in the Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center in 2019. With its bird-friendly design of fritted glass, steel and brick, the new Simon Center completes a complementary trio of academic facilities with the neighboring Hugel Science Scienter and Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center. Stifel worked directly with Audra KahrExecutive Vice President of Finance and Administration, and the planning team, from the design elements and furnishings to the trophy case that will display the department’s awards and achievements.
Videos by Olivia Giralico and Alfred Greenbaum
Of all the classrooms, Room 300, named in honor of Rose Marie Bukics, the Thomas Roy and Lura Forrest Jones Professor of Economics Emerita, is particularly impressive, with its panoramic views of campus, the rooftops of College Hill, and a glimpse beyond to South Easton.
The new Simon Center also features student common spaces with easy access to faculty offices at the edge of each floor, LED lighting, a central staircase with stainless steel cable handrails, gray linoleum floors made from recycled material, illuminated powder blue alcoves with quiet seating areas, and an outdoor space for studying and relaxing surrounded by native plants.
The building is expected to receive LEED Silver certification due to its sustainability features. The original Simon Center for Economics and Business was inaugurated in 1986 and named after the U.S. Treasury Secretary. William E. Simon ’52The new Simon Center will be officially inaugurated on October 4th.
McCartney II
Seniors returning to campus have moved into the newly completed McCartney Street Housing, Phase II, the second of the college’s new housing units.
“We are excited that the addition of McCartney II will increase the number of apartment-style housing options. McCartney II was designed to provide students with a more independent living experience while remaining connected to the Lafayette residential community through thoughtfully designed common spaces both inside and outside the building,” says Grace ReynoldsDirector of Residence Life.
“It’s clear that our seniors are excited about this type of housing opportunity, as all of the apartments in the 166-person building were selected in the senior housing lottery last spring,” she says. “The students who have already moved in are thrilled to settle into their new home on campus.”
Located adjacent to the McCartney North/South facility, which opened in August 2020, and bordered by McCartney and Marquis streets, March Street and Clinton Terrace, the three-story complex features 166 new beds, including 34 four-bedroom suites, two three-bedroom suites, seven two-bedroom suites and 10 single rooms. All units include a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, combination stove/oven and full-size refrigerator.
There are washrooms and student lounge/study areas on each floor and a games room with table tennis, air hockey and table football on the second floor. The facility has two elevators and three stair towers with LED lighting.
Mural by Isabel Sorrells ’23
Lafayette motifs are everywhere, from the maroon and gray tiles to the old black-and-white photos of campus life through the years that adorn the lounge’s walls. Maroon canopies bearing the college seal cover the windows, and a brick courtyard facing McCartney Street is furnished with Adirondack chairs, a ubiquitous symbol of the campus. Students had a hand in selecting the furniture. In the ground floor lounge Isabel Sorrels ’23 (Fine and Studio Arts) painted a colorful mural depicting a pair of leopards in a rainforest setting. The vacant spaces on the ground floor could one day house a restaurant or pizzeria and possibly a flower shop or cafe.
Further improvements
New and returning students, staff and campus guests will notice new signage to help them navigate the campus.
Signage and directions
In the first phase of the ongoing wayfinding update to make it easier for visitors and the campus community to find their way around campus, the following building signs have been installed or are planned to be installed:
- William E. Simon Center for Economics and Business (formerly Kunkel Hall)
- Jenks Hall
- McCartney II
- In addition, signage for the following areas will be moved to more visible locations:
- Farinon College Center
- Hogg Hall
- Leopard Parking Deck (the Sullivan Road parking deck was recently painted maroon)
The Leopard deck with a fresh coat of maroon.
LCAT Shuttle QR Codes
To make it easier for students to use the campus shuttles, new signs will be placed beneath the existing LCAT shuttle signs that will include a QR code to the LCAT shuttle schedule so students can easily find out when the next shuttle will arrive.
Cards
This summer, nine new campus maps were added across campus to help students, staff and visitors navigate. Maps are now available in the following locations:
- Art Campus: Near the Escarpment Trail
- Sullivan Road: Near the Leopard parking deck
- Quad: Near Farinon College Center
- Near the Oechsle Center for Global Education
- Near Schwartz-Schoor Plaza
- Near Markle Hall
- At Fisher Stadium
- On the Bushkill site, near Bushkill Drive and Dietrich Drive
- Near Marquis Hall
Each map has a QR code that links to an online map with corresponding updates (e.g., new buildings added or updated campus area names).
