The wall, as presented by Arnn at the May 1 President’s Commencement Dinner. Courtesy | Mary Ann Powers
Hillsdale College will inscribe a low wall on the north quad with the names of the Class of 2026 and any other classes of students who experienced four years of the quad’s construction, according to College President Larry Arnn and Chief Administrative Officer Rich Péwé.
“I thought up the idea of the recognition because I was proud of the students for not whining about the construction,” Arnn said in an email to The Collegian. “My hope is that the students that are recognized will be proud, come back often to sit on it, and remember not to whine in the future, too.”
The wall, which will also serve as outdoor seating, will be built on the southern end of the north quad and feature an explanatory plaque, along with the names of the students. The wall will face the yet-to-be-reconstructed back entrance to Central Hall. Arnn presented visual renderings for the seat wall and plaque at the President’s Commencement Dinner on May 1, and he also announced the plans at the May 9 commencement ceremony.
The plaque that will sit at the center of the seat wall reads: “The students named here attended Hillsdale College during the construction of this quad. Despite obstacles, the college operated beautifully during their time here. Complaints were rare. Achievements were common. The college records their names here in gratitude for their service.”
Péwé said the semicircular, limestone seat wall will separate the grassy area of the north quad from surrounding walkways. Students’ names will be inscribed along the entire length of the seat wall.
“It is intended to be a place for students to sit and study or socialize with other students,” Péwé said in an email to The Collegian. “A professor could use it to teach a small class, and it will be a great backdrop for student activities.”
With input from the College, the wall and landscaping were designed by landscape architects from Hoerr Schaudt, which also helped plan the fire pits outside of Lane and Kendall halls. Imber Architects was also involved as the “master planner,” Péwé said.
According to Péwé, the wall and walkways cannot start construction until the Central Hall addition, announced by Arnn last fall, is complete.
Because Hillsdale College has not yet fully secured funds for the addition — funds that could amount to $28 million, according to early schematic estimates, Péwé said — the College has not set a start date for the Central Hall construction. Once Hillsdale has funding and a start date for the Central Hall addition, the project will take 28 months to complete. Only after then will construction on the seat wall, plaque, and walkways begin.
Construction on campus has been ongoing since the spring of 2024, including projects such as the Diana Davis Spencer Graduate School of Classical Education Building, renovations to the Grewcock Student Union, and additions to the Michael Alex Mossey Library.
Vice President for Student Affairs Diane Philipp said the seat wall is intended to be both beautiful and meaningful for students.
“Dr. Arnn’s hope is that this seating area reflects the importance of the central space where it is located as well as the students who patiently endured the quad’s transformation,” Philipp said. “The college hopes this area continues as a gathering place for the students to sit, visit, study, play, celebrate, and make memories together.”
Senior Violet Hubartt said she appreciated the thoughtfulness behind the seat wall.
“I think it’s very kind that they are using some of those resources that went into construction when we were here into something that we can come back and see later,” Hubartt said. “I’ve always been kind of sad that we haven’t gotten to have the experience of the quad, but I do see the vision, and I’m excited about it.”
Junior Maddox Lawrence said he is looking forward to the seat wall because it is both practical and something he can return to in the future.
“I think it really works for people who don’t like to sit on grass or want to study but still want to be outside,” Lawrence said. “Also, we’re not going to get a quad our entire time here, so it’s nice to have a keepsake of getting to be in the quad, even if we never got to actually be on it.”
Philipp said she hopes the wall will serve as a reminder for future students.
“We hope future students will see the names of our current students and understand that the engraved stone wall is a tribute to the students who have lived through and helped shape this chapter in Hillsdale’s history,” Philipp said.
