On Friday, September 12, Michigan State University celebrated the renovation of Campbell Hall with a ribbon cutting that brought together donors, university leaders, staff, and students.
The celebration included building tours, a program featuring MSU leaders and students, and a limited edition MSU Dairy Store flavor – Honors College Smart Cookie – to commemorate the residence hall’s transformation into an Honors College living-learning community.
“We’ve officially opened Campbell Hall’s doors to the next 86 years, and I think that the students who will live and study here are going to be fantastic stewards of this building’s legacy,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
“We imagine Campbell Hall as an intellectual hub – a place where undergraduates can connect with faculty and graduate students, where alumni return to share their expertise, and where seminars and workshops spark conversations that stretch across fields,” said Honors College Interim Dean Glenn Chambers.
“This renovated hall isn’t just a new home for the Honors College and our students. It’s a new space for the entire university to come together,” Chambers said.
The $37.1 million renovation of Campbell Hall has modernized the historic 1939 building with essential safety, accessibility, and efficiency upgrades, including: a new elevator, entrance ramp, energy-efficient windows, a fire suppression system, and an updated security access system.
These improvements support a dynamic residential experience for Honors College students, with versatile spaces designed for wellness, creativity, and academic engagement.
“This project was a true partnership between the Honors College, Residential and Hospitality Services, Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, and our contractors,” said Patricia A.R. Martinez, associate vice president for MSU Residential and Hospitality Services.
“Together, we’ve reimagined Campbell Hall as a space that honors its legacy while embracing a new era of student-centered living,” she said.
Donors – whose generosity totaled more than $3.4 million toward the project – were recognized throughout the event, with heartfelt gratitude expressed for their commitment to creating spaces that support scholarship, collaboration, and community.
Honors College student speaker Sumaiya Imad called Campbell Hall “a true home for the ambitions and service of future Honors College students.”
“The Honors College has been my launchpad connecting me with mentors, collaborators, and friends who push me to dream bigger and lead with purpose,” she said. “Campbell Hall is more than just a building; it’s an incubator for ideas, a catalyst for collaboration.”