Winter Hall, the third and newest academic building on the Allen College campus is open. At a grand opening on August 16, Allen College Chancellor Dr. Jerry Durham said the new building signals a new phase in the College’s growth in serving students.

“Winter Hall provides needed facilities to help us continue to better educate the healthcare workers of the future,” Durham said. “It is the result of widespread support of Allen College’s growth and an investment in the future well-being of the many communities we serve.”

 The building will house new academic programs and additional faculty to meet the needs of a growing student enrollment. Fall semester enrollment is projected at a record 550 students, a 10 percent increase from fall semester 2011. Durham said he believes this building will allow enrollment to grow to at least 700 students, possibly more.

“Allen College is an institution that is educating healthcare professionals to provide patient care throughout Iowa” said Mark Baldwin, chair of the Allen College Board of Trustees and of the Allen Health System Board. “All of Iowa, and particularly northeast Iowa, benefits from this project.”

Named for the late Carlton and Thelma Winter of Waterloo, Winter Hall is a $4.8 million building. The 19,500-square-foot facility includes two 75-seat lecture halls, two 35-seat classrooms and new offices. It connects Barrett Forum and Gerard Hall, the first two academic buildings on campus.

When not in use for classes, the lecture halls in the new building can be combined for use as a conference center to seat approximately 200. The second floor features two smaller classrooms and faculty offices. It includes student conference rooms, additional staff office space and a faculty lounge. A limited-service kitchen is located on the first floor, with an informal lounge area located near the first-floor entrance. The new building was constructed using “green” building methods wherever possible.

The Winter Hall project also included the renovation of some existing space in Gerard Hall, including the addition of an ultrasound lab.

The Winters owned and operated six Ben Franklin stores in Waterloo from 1959–1981. They loved their business and their customers, and were tireless workers. They also were quietly charitable throughout their lives, giving back to the community that supported them. Carlton passed away in 2000 at the age of 87. Thelma lived 100 years and died in 2008. In their estate, they left $13 million to area organizations, including a $2 million bequest to Allen College. Their gift and more than 600 gifts from other donors made the construction of Winter Hall possible.

Offering nursing education since 1925, Allen College became a degree-granting institution in 1989. Allen College offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); Master of Science in Nursing (MSN); Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); Associate of Science in Radiography (ASR); and Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) programs. For more information on Allen College, call 319-226-2000 or visit www.allencollege.edu.

 Read more in this article from the WCF Courier: Winter Hall opens on Allen College campus.

Mark Baldwin, chair of the Allen College Board of Trustees and of the Allen Health System Board; Jerry Durham, Allen College chancellor; Tom Tibbitts, Allen president & CEO; Matt Rolinger, Allen Foundation director; and Kathy McCoy, Allen Foundation Board vice chair, are joined by Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber Ambassadors for the ribbon cutting during grand opening ceremonies for Winter Hall at Allen College.