“While having breakfast this morning in Corbin,” said John Biernbaum, Associate Vice-President for Student Services,”I was thinking about how your work on the renovation of Corbin Olson Halls has really been a great thing for this campus. I know renovations aren’t the same as designing a new building, but you truly did turn a clunker into a Cadillac.” 

The substantial two-year renovation of Corbin and Olson Halls and the dynamic redesign of the dining facility connecting the two residence halls has re-energized student life at Western Illinois University. The largest UHDS (University Housing and Design Services) project undertaken on campus since 2004, the renovation has enhanced student interaction, improved security, and significantly upgraded technology. The most significant change is the complete transformation of the dining center and student commons area where new behavior patterns are beginning to emerge. Prior to the renovation, students would purchase food and take it back to their rooms. By creating a new point of entry accessible to all students and upgrading the space, the dining center has become a lively destination and a hub of student activity.