May 21, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Augustana University.

Now that commencement is over, Augustana University is beginning more renovations to Morrison Commons, located on Commons Drive on the university’s campus.

In partnership with Sodexo — AU’s food service and facilities management partner — construction on the second phase of the approximately $5 million project is expected to be complete when students return in the fall.

“I really think this is going to make Augustana more competitive as we recruit potential students,” said Shannan Nelson, the university’s chief financial officer and executive vice president.

With Mortenson serving as the contractor and Koch Hazard Architects as the architect, the first phase of the renovations to the 65-year-old building took place in spring 2023 and throughout the summer months.

Those renovations included the relocation and refresh of the university’s merchandise store, Ole’s Outlet, as well as the addition of Sodexo’s partner Chick-fil-A.

“We explored commercial partners that we thought would add the greatest value and benefit, plus brand recognition and student recruitment to our campus,” Nelson said. “We are pleased with how these have served the campus community.”

This summer, as part of the next phase, renovations will include work on things students won’t notice immediately, such as the HVAC system, ceilings, electrical and plumbing.

The Starbucks on the main level of Morrison Commons will be relocated to where the student mailboxes currently are located, with the addition of a convenience store, or what will be known as The Market.

Koch Hazard Architects

The beloved mailboxes that alumni visit when they come back to Augustana, especially during Viking Days, will be part of a bid-to-buy online auction in July. Any funds raised will support AU student scholarships.

“At the conclusion of the bid-to-buy campaign, any unclaimed mailbox doors will be donated to the Augustana art department for students’ use in the creation of unique art pieces,” said Dr. Pam Homan, class of 1981, Augustana chief strategy officer and executive vice president.

While a nostalgic piece of the commons will be going away, Augustana will be bringing back something from the past. Returning in its original location is the staircase in the center of the concourse, north of where the Starbucks exists today. This will help relieve congestion and create an open space that also will serve as a “stage” for student programming, surrounded by a new lounge area.

Koch Hazard Architects

Ordal Dining Hall, which overlooks the newly renovated campus green, will remain on the upper level and also get a refresh in the second phase.

As part of the renovation, serving lines will act more as serving “stations” — some that are permanent and others that rotate every day.

Rendering by Sodexo

“The new building updates will allow us to advance our food program in ways the previous design wouldn’t. We will now be able to better serve all of our students with the addition of Sodexo’s award-winning Simple Servings platform. This is a designated safe space where students with special diets can find entrees prepared, cooked and served that are void of the nine major allergens,” said Damian Lewis, general manager of Sodexo.

Rendering by Sodexo

“I’m most excited about having a more modern, updated dining facility,” Nelson said. “Including Chick-fil-A, students are going to have eight different options every day, so, for example, you can go get a salad here, a pizza here or a vegan bowl over here.”

After holding open forums, the students seemed most excited about the third phase, which is expected to take place within the next few years, Nelson said. This will include renovations to what’s known as the Back Alley — providing additional and flexible space for student events. The plan includes creating “pockets” of smaller meeting spaces, which also can be opened up for larger gatherings.

“This will definitely turn things into more of a student union feel,” Nelson said.

For information on exploring everything Augustana has to offer, visit augie.edu/visit.