The Campaign to Save Ball Hall

That’s how one student described the transformation of the student rooms in Ball. I recently had the opportunity to take a tour of the second, third and fourth floors with the building’s resident director, Mike Gentile. I got to see a double room and quadruple room — both had plenty of room to roam. The former hardwood floors are carpeted, so that saves students from having to buy area rugs (unless, of course, they want to). The residents I spoke with are most happy, as was I, with the central air conditioning (this has been a pretty warm September here in Keuka Park); the only other residence hall with central air is Harrington. The doors on the rooms were also changed; metal ones replace the old wooden ones. “It’s a better feeling of security,” said Gentile. “They swing close automatically.” If you lived in Ball Hall pre-renovation, you had to do your laundry in the basement. Now, there are laundry facilities on every floor — two washers and four dryers, as a matter of fact. The lounge areas feature flat-screen televisions mounted to the walls and the kitchenettes are both practical and pretty. The building is also better handicap accessible, something about which Gentile is glad: “The doors are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and there is a handicap-accessible shower in each bathroom.”

-Tanya

A guest entry from Gretchen Parsells, manager of communications:

As the last couple of days of summer give way to fall, I have mixed emotions. I love summer at Keuka College, and the freedom it gives me to eat my lunch on top of the boathouse, or picnic-style on the chapel lawn. The lake is so pretty when it is blue, and the trees are a flurry of activity as the squirrels and birds vie for nest space. The smell of freshly mown grass mixes with a hint of rain, and we furiously click the “save” icon on our computers as we hear the first rumblings of thunder. But fall at Keuka brings its own beauty, as the leaves turn from green to brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. The crisp, cool mornings make me look forward to a hot cup of Dark Magic Espresso coffee from the Terrace Café, while the warm, sunny afternoons encourage me to be outside as long as it stays light. Fall also brings families near and far to campus for Family Weekend. A weekend bustling with activities, beginning tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 21, there are events and activities for all members of the family. While most of the weekends’ activities occur Saturday, other events will be tomorrow and Sunday. Some of the events include Keuka’s cheerleaders, dance and step teams showcasing their skills tomorrow night, while Saturday, President Burke will update parents and students alike with projects and activities on campus, and the Viking Spirit will head out for tours of Keuka Lake twice. Family Weekend also bring out friendly competition as students, families, alumni, faculty and staff climb into the College’s canoes for the annual Shively Cup canoe and kayak races. Two athletes and a former coach will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame, the volleyball team will triumph over visiting Morrisville College (my prediction), and there will be activities geared toward children ages 5-12 sponsored by the Education Club. Sunday features men’s and women’s alumni soccer games, and First Annual Ed Purcell Alumni Classic (lacrosse). I will be here all day Saturday to document events photographically, as well as assist in any way I am able. I look forward to meeting the families who come this weekend, and invite those of you who have not seen the renovations in Ball Hall to stop in, say hello, and take a tour of the ground and first floors.