MSU celebrates Campbell Hall renovation
Summary
Michigan State University’s oldest operating residence hall has been transformed to meet the needs of today’s students.
On Friday, Sept. 12, Michigan State University celebrated the renovation of Campbell Hall with a ribbon cutting that brought together donors, university leaders, staff and students.
The celebration included building tours, a program featuring MSU leaders and students, and a limited edition MSU Dairy Store flavor — Honors College Smart Cookie — to commemorate the residence hall’s transformation into an Honors College living-learning community.
“We’ve officially opened Campbell Hall’s doors to the next 86 years, and I think that the students who will live and study here are going to be fantastic stewards of this building’s legacy,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
The $37.1 million renovation of Campbell Hall has modernized the historic 1939 building with essential safety, accessibility and efficiency upgrades, including a new elevator, entrance ramp, energy-efficient windows, a fire suppression system and an updated security access system. These improvements support a dynamic residential experience for Honors College students, with versatile spaces designed for wellness, creativity and academic engagement.
“This project was a true partnership between the Honors College, Residential and Hospitality Services, Infrastructure Planning and Facilities and our contractors,” said Patricia A.R. Martinez, associate vice president for MSU Residential and Hospitality Services. “Together, we’ve reimagined Campbell Hall as a space that honors its legacy while embracing a new era of student-centered living. Campbell Hall is now a home, a classroom and a thriving community within our residential experience — a reflection of the Spartan will and the promise we hold for future generations.”
Honors College Interim Dean Glenn Chambers said he imagines Campbell Hall as an “intellectual hub.”
“Campbell Hall will be a place where undergraduates can connect with faculty and graduate students, where alumni return to share their expertise and where seminars and workshops spark conversations that stretch across fields,” said Chambers. “This renovated hall isn’t just a new home for the Honors College and our students. It’s a new space for the entire university to come together.”
Donors, whose generosity totaled more than $3.4 million toward the project, were recognized throughout the event, with gratitude expressed for their commitment to creating spaces that support scholarship, collaboration and community.
Honors College student speaker Sumaiya Imad said Campbell Hall is a “true home of ambitions” for future students.
“The Honors College has been my launchpad connecting me with mentors, collaborators and friends who push me to dream bigger and lead with purpose,” said Imad. “Campbell Hall is more than just a building; it's an incubator for ideas, a catalyst for collaboration.”