It was a beautiful sunny day on Friday, filling the Erlenbach Gathering Area with sunlight as nearly 100 people gathered for the official grand opening ceremony of Swenson Hall.

Chancellor Renee Wachter welcomed the crowd, saying "I'm so glad to see so many members of the community here ... I think it's fitting that the community and the university came together today.”

Jim Swenson, a major donor to the building of Swenson Hall and whom the building is named for, spoke about how coming to the University of Wisconsin Superior shaped his life and that of many members of his family. He also stressed the importance of UW Superior as an affordable university with excellent facilities, and of his continuing commitment to keeping the school vital.

The head of the Design Committee, Dr. Shevaun Stocker, called Swenson Hall an “investment in the campus and the students.” 

“It really is such a wonderful energy to be a part of,” Stocker said.

Everyone present talked about the wonderful energy of the building. Terri Kronzer, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies,  called Swenson “an outward symbol of our commitment” to education. Emmanuel L. Tucker spoke for everyone when he said the building is a “space we can configure, utilize and truly enjoy.”

Chancellor Emeritus Julius Erlenbach was visibly moved at the dedication of the Erlenbach Lecture Hall, right off of the Erlenbach Gathering Area. He will have offices on the second floor of Swenson, and invited everyone to stop by if he was in.

Cutting the ribbon for Swenson Hall were: Chancellor Wachter, Chancellor Emeritus Erlenbach, Jim Swenson, Professor Martha Einerson, and Student Government Association President Emily Borra.

It was also the grand re-opening of Barstow Hall,which was recently remodeled to better accommodate the needs of the Science Department.

Cutting the ribbon for the re-opening of Barstow Hall were: Chancellor Wachter, Dr. Mary Balcer, Dr. Ralph Seelke, and new Swenson Scholars Katelyn Adams, Brittney Berning, Matthew Elder, Jacob Gran, Emily Johnson, Racquel Kaizer, Spencer Koskie, Olivia Krause, Alec Maki, and Serena Urban.