FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2016, 4:00 p.m. CDT
Contact Jason Hogue, Peru State College Marketing and Communications, 402.872.2429
Peru, Nebraska- Peru State College’s historic Delzell Hall is slated for a $9.9 million renovation.
“The Ship” has served as a men’s dormitory since it opened in 1939 and is most famous
for serving as a barracks for the Navy’s V-12 program during World War II.
Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State College, said, “I am pleased we can renovate
Delzell to better meet the needs of our students. As enrollment rises, so does the
demand for on-campus housing.”
Kathy Carroll, vice president for administration and finance, said, “Our goal is to
keep the character of the building while providing modern comfort. Renovating Delzell
will be another example of how Peru State excels at balancing world-class facilities
with the historic nature of its campus.”
The deep renovation will include new wiring and plumbing. Bathrooms will be completely
overhauled and new light fixtures utilizing LED will be installed.
A new HVAC system is also planned and, like many other campus buildings, it will use
geothermal energy. Delzell Hall will receive central air conditioning for the first
time.
Examples of work to retain the dormitory’s historic charm include refinishing the
wood paneling in the Great Hall. The Hall’s original light fixtures will also be repaired
and rehung to balance the light in the room.
Cindy Cammack, director of admissions, said, “The quality of a student’s campus residential
options is an important part of the admissions decision. I’m excited about Delzell’s
renovation because it honors Peru State’s history and provides students with the full
amenities expected for today’s college students. ”
Jackson, Jackson and Associates is the architect for the project. F & B Constructors
is the contractor and construction is expected to be completed by August of 2017.
Originally built in 1939, Delzell Hall is named for longtime men’s dean, W. N. Delzell.
Delzell served on the faculty from 1905 to 1939 and was dean of men for the last 17
years. Shortly after Delzell Hall was opened, Peru State offered facilities to the
government to train army or navy personnel.
Ernest Longfellow, in the “The Normal on the Hill,” writes, “Upon investigation by
a naval committee in 1943, Peru State was approved for the training of 200 to 300
naval cadets under the V-12 unit designation. The barracks were located in the new
Delzell Hall. . .”
“On July 13, 1943, Delzell Hall became a ‘ship,’ when the first Navy V-12 unit arrived
and brought Navy jargon to the Campus of a Thousand Oaks. The main entrance became
the ‘main desk,’ other entrances were ‘gangways,’ stairways were ‘ladders’ and windows
become ‘ports.’
Delzell Hall
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For more information, visit www.peru.edu or call 1-800-742-4412.
About Peru State College: Nestled in the historic hills of the Missouri River, the
“Campus of a Thousand Oaks" is Nebraska’s oldest college and will celebrate its sesquicentennial
anniversary in 2017. Peru State College’s constant commitment to academic excellence
has resulted in a unique and innovative mix of online, traditional, undergraduate
and graduate programs. Similarly, the college's ongoing student engagement promotes
inquiry, discovery and innovation on-campus and across the region. Peru State College
is committed to being a good steward of education, students, the region and Nebraska
for another 150 years.