The campus community filled the recently renovated Schichtl Hall for its grand re-opening Sept. 5.
The building now houses the Schedler Honors College, the Center for Global Learning and Engagement and an exhibition room for the Center for Chinese Language and Culture.
“We’re here to celebrate the opening of this wonderful and updated academic space on campus, but also to recognize the impact of the programs and the people who work and live in this space, or call this place their work home,” Provost Michael Hargis said. “This building brings together several key academic units — education abroad and national student exchange, international admissions and recruitment, international student and scholar services, the Center for Chinese Language and Culture, the Honors College and the living-learning communities.
“Each of these units plays a vital role in shaping the global perspectives and personal growth of our students and the academic success that we all hope that our students achieve by uniting all of these various units under one roof,” he said.
Phillip Bailey, the associate vice president for Global Learning and Engagement, said Schichtl Hall was like a series of Russian dolls — each unit is interconnected.
“One of the units that I’m really excited to talk about today that is invisible altogether is the Arkansas Chinese Heritage project,” he said. “As you walk down the east hallway here, you’ll see a couple of terracotta warriors brought to us by the former Confucius Institute, now the Center for Chinese Language and Culture. Imagine, in about eight months, a beautiful display giving students access to the 155-year history of Chinese Americans in Arkansas.”
On the west wing of the building, photos of Honors College graduating classes from 1986-2024 were framed and hung by Jo Ann Huselton.
Patricia Smith, dean of the Honors College, said, “Her work is on display here in the hallway, and we’re really thrilled that she could be here as she just finished framing the class of 2024 and got them on the walls this week — so really proud to be able to display all of that.”
Schichtl Hall used to house studio art classes, but with the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts opening in September 2023, the hall was vacant and under construction.
UCA President Houston Davis said, “We always try and think about how can we make the best out of the resources that were given. I don’t think that I could have even imagined how well the renovation would have turned out, and to know that these two divisions of our university being able to benefit from this, and we know that becomes a force multiplier — especially here right in the center of campus — to allow people to come in and out of that work.”
Hargis said he hopes students and faculty use this space to cultivate community and creativity.
“As you continue to settle into this space and make it your own, I encourage you to keep your eyes and minds open, be ready to step outside of your routine, strike up the conversations with someone new and see what discoveries will emerge because I’m confident that this building and the programs housed here will serve as a catalyst for collaboration, creativity and opportunity as we move forward,” he said.
The hall also features multiple seminar rooms, a media room, an outdoor classroom, a sensory garden and a library honoring Norbert Schedler.
Smith said, “We couldn’t be more proud to call Schichtl our new home, and we can’t wait for the wonderful events planned throughout the coming months. So make sure to check out our announcements.”