Campus celebrates comprehensive renovations that preserve history and focus on educating future Cyclone Engineers
On Thursday, Sept. 29, the campus community and public gathered to rededicate Marston Hall in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on the building’s east lawn.
Marston Hall, which has served as home to the College of Engineering at Iowa State University for more than a century, underwent a comprehensive renovation from 2014-2016.
The project removed 75 percent of the building’s interior structure to allow for student-centered updates while maintaining the iconic majestic limestone façade that reflects the college’s proud history.
“For more than a century this building stood proud with a lot of memories, but it was time to completely renovate and modernize the structure,” Sarah Rajala, James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of Engineering, said during her remarks at the ceremony. “Our goal was to honor Dean Marston’s vision by recapturing and preserving the past while equipping students to tackle future engineering challenges. I think we succeeded on both accounts!”
Those in attendance also heard from Steven Leath, president, Iowa State University; Larissa Holtmyer Jones, president and CEO, Iowa State University Foundation; Jan Jessen, 2016 Honorary Alumni Award Recipient; John Hayes ’66 alumnus; and Nolan Dickson, senior, chemical engineering.
The building is named after Anson Marston, who was the first dean of the College of Engineering at Iowa State. Marston is also known for designing the school’s sewage system and the water tower standing on the west side of Marston Hall. His granddaughters, Alice Marston Barney and Lucy Carruthers, along with several of their family members, joined in the rededication celebration.
Read more about the Marston Hall renovation, including photos that capture the different stages of the project.