The renovation of Grove City College’s Smith Hall of Science and Technology, which transformed one of the oldest buildings on campus into a 21st century showplace for STEM education, won a 2025 Master Builder Association (MBA) Building Excellence Award.
The College shared the award, which recognized renovations over $20 million, with contractor Landau Building Company of Allison Park, Pa., and architects Smith Group of Pittsburgh.
“This project represents more than two years of dedication and collaboration across the entire Grove City College leadership team, each contributing in meaningful ways. The success of Smith Hall is a direct result of the strong partnership between our architect and contractors and the commitment of the College’s team,” said Vice President for Operations Susan Grimm, who oversaw the sprawling effort.
Turning Rockwell Hall, an iconic but threadbare science facility dating back to 1931, into Smith Hall was a massive project that took two years and cost $48 million. It included a three-story addition that connects Smith to STEM Hall, creating a 130,000-square-foot scientific hub at the heart of campus.
The work was more a reimagining than a renovation of the flagship campus building at the top of the College’s central Quad. The building’s original brick façade – and the 145-foot clock tower that dominates campus views – remain intact, but the interior was completely redesigned and upgraded, along with mechanical systems and miles of wires and cable to accommodate technological improvements for labs, classrooms, and cutting-edge equipment.
“It’s gratifying to have this project earn an Award of Excellence, since excellence is one of the College’s primary values,” said Jeff Prokovich ’89, vice president for Advancement. “Smith Hall doesn’t just provide our students with science and technology facilities that are second to none, it represents the College’s commitment to preserving our past while building for the future.”
Smith Hall was renamed to recognize alumnus and technology entrepreneur William Smith ’69 and his wife Dieva Smith, who were lead donors on the project. The work is part of Impact 150: The Anniversary Campaign for Grove City College, an ongoing effort to raise more than $200 million to improve campus facilities and fund scholarships tied to the College’s sesquicentennial in 2026.