Midland College dedicates F. Marie Hall Academic Building

Midland College dedicated the much-anticipated F. Marie Hall Academic Building on Wednesday, August 27 in honor of MC Foundation Board member and Texas philanthropist, F. Marie Hall. “I can’t think of anyone who is more deserving of having their name on this building,” said new MC President Steve Thomas at a ceremony of close to 300 people, including the community, Midland College Trustee and Foundation Board members, donors, faculty, staff and the architects from Parkhill Smith & Cooper.

“Miss Hall is a philanthropist, a gracious, charming and friendly woman who is a champion for excellence of every kind,” said former MC President David Daniel in his tribute to her. MC Board of Trustees President Ralph Way made the dedication of the building, “... henceforth this building will be known as the F. Marie Hall Academic Building.” MC Foundation Dr. Eileen Piwetz presented, Flower Quintet, a floral watercolor painted by MC Professor of Art Warren Taylor as a “thank you” gift to Miss Hall.

The new 79,072 sq. ft. facility — one of the key projects planned in the 2005 Bond program approved overwhelmingly by Midland voters — houses a two-story atrium at its entrance that serves as a gathering space for people before and after events in the tiered, 102-seat lecture hall. The new atrium was christened “Amistad Atrium” by Hall, who values “friendship” and community. Amistad Atrium will serve as a place where old friends can meet, and new friendships are formed.

The building provides 36 large classrooms, distance learning technology, a first-class mathematics laboratory and additional faculty offices ... as well as a snack bar and open-air patio on the second level. The facility is also home to Midland College’s University Center. The structure has several architectural features — including cascading water pools linking the interior and exterior of the building and, upon completion, a heavily landscaped front courtyard with benches, planters, and fountains.