Northwestern to host Ramaker dedication

Members of the public are invited to join students, faculty and staff for the dedication of Northwestern College’s remodeled Ramaker Center. The 5 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 27, will be followed by an open house and precede the college’s annual by-invitation Donor Appreciation Banquet.

Originally built in 1963 to house the library, Ramaker was transformed after the DeWitt Learning Commons, the new home of the college’s library, opened in the fall of 2013. Ramaker’s central location made it an ideal site as a student services hub, and in a yearlong project starting in the summer of 2013, the building was completely gutted and transformed into a bright and modern setting for numerous departments, including student life, residence life, career development, student programs, intercultural and international student development, campus ministry, and the Center for 21st Century Learning.

Julie Vermeer Elliott, dean of student life, will speak during the dedication program, as will Laura Jonker, a senior from Brandon, Wis., and President Greg Christy. Representatives of the Ramaker family will participate in the ribbon cutting.

The $4.3 million renovation of Ramaker kept the building’s expansive north windows with a view of the campus green, while the use of glass for some office and conference room walls makes optimum use of natural lighting. Ramaker’s mezzanine layout was preserved, providing views from the second floor of student lounges and meeting areas below. And a new north entrance and wide central corridor encourages student traffic through the building. Ramaker was also given new heating, air conditioning and electrical systems; a new elevator, windows and roof; and a new brick-and-limestone exterior that matches other buildings on campus.

Cannon Moss Brygger Architects of Sioux City designed the Ramaker renovation. Hoogendoorn Construction of Canton, S.D., was the general contractor.