Rankin Hall

Originally constructed in 1906, Rankin Hall underwent major renovations in 2018 to reconfigure the historic structure into a modern facility, ready to meet the needs of Carroll's newest generation of students. As the third, and final piece of the multi-phase plan to improve academic spaces on campus, Carroll University's Board of Trustees authorized $11 million for improvements. Most of the upgrades were confined to the building's interior because of the historic-nature of the building. Rankin Hall was rededicated on Sept. 14, 2018 and now houses nine technology-infused classrooms, a number of student spaces and 25 offices for faculty predominantly in environmental science, psychology and biology. Carroll University was honored with the 2019 George Gunn Award for Excellence in Architectural Preservation and Historic Restoration from the City of Waukesha Landmarks Commission for the restoration of Rankin Hall.

Rankin Hall has stood proudly at Carroll since 1906, when the institution was only 60 years old. It is one of four historic buildings, including Main Hall, Ganfield Gymnasium and Voorhees Hall, to have lent the campus charm and remind us of the university’s long heritage. But a building designed for the education of college students in 1906 was not exactly ideal for 2018 or beyond. Classrooms were cramped, bathrooms seriously outdated and the building infrastructure not well suited for a modern, wired educational facility.

Carroll’s board of trustees developed an $11 million renovation plan for Rankin Hall as the final act in a trio of major construction projects on campus, following the building of the Michael and Mary Jaharis Science Laboratories and Doug and Nancy Hastad Hall. While the exterior of the building was left largely intact to comply with historical preservation guidelines, crews gutted the interior, installed new heating and cooling systems and created new classrooms, offices and numerous informal open gathering spaces where students can study and socialize.

Those informal gathering spaces are important, noted Carroll President Cindy Gnadinger. “Today, we know more about what works in education and that learning is a collaborative process. We wanted to ensure in this building that we created spaces where students could collaborate, with one another, or with faculty. Speaking of faculty, the remodeled building contains numerous faculty offices, a decision made to ensure students would have greater access to faculty.”