Thaw Hall, renovated this year as the new Scots Learning Commons, centralizes academic support

One of the historic buildings on campus – Thaw Hall – with tall windows and columns facing campus, may look different to students who were on campus last year. 

The first notable change is a large illuminated sign at the entryway to what used to be the upper level of the Lamar Memorial Library. Now known as the Scots Learning Commons (SLC), this sign is indicative of many of the changes the building has seen in the last few months.

A multi-million dollar grant secured by Maryville College allowed renovations, new furniture, and the hiring of new employees.

“The grant covers everything from our salaries to benefits. All the construction that you’ve seen is 100% [covered by] the grant, and there is more in that budget [to cover construction for] the next three years,” said Cody Dishner, Title III coordinator at MC.

He added that supplies at the front desk are paid for by the grant, as are the salaries of all nine people hired on the grant. These positions include those of Scots Learning Commons Coordinator, held by Vickie Skates, and her new SLC Assistant, a role filled by recent MC grad September Wilson (‘24).

Assistant Dean for Academic Success Heather McMahon addressed the grant and renovations in an interview last semester, saying, “we already knew we wanted to do [these renovations], the grant helps us make that happen.”

“The change started before I came on board,” Skates said. “A lot of the groundwork was done by Heather McMahon and Angela Quick. Those two worked with the physical plant, Lou Coco and Bo Long, to get the design set up and start the construction project.”

Last semester, the back area of The Commons was tarped off as it underwent construction. Now, the area is open to students as a private study space with banquet style seating and a high top with charging ports. 

“We started with the main entryway and the sign,” Skates said, talking about the process for construction. “We had the central area painted then we opened up that back area.”

“The Learning Commons is really an umbrella for all offices that support academic success. It’s not a third space for students like a hangout, but the departments that support academic success are centralized.”

This support includes offices for digital edge and academic advising, which offers students a centralized space for support. It is also intentionally close to academic success, which is still located downstairs in the “garden level” of Thaw. Also downstairs is the Disability Resources and Accessibility team and the majority of the 100,000 Lamar Memorial Library books.

The front desk to the Learning Commons is known as the GPS desk, which stands for “Getting Personalized Support”. Wilson and Skates work at the desk, keeping printers stocked and pointing students in the right direction for their needs.

“We are the first point of contact to direct people,” Wilson said. “If people come in needing appointments for academic advising or academic support, we can tell them where to go and what to do if they need help.”

Along with new tables and offices in the back area, new furniture came in last week. A flexible couch in the main area of the SLC also includes charging ports. It is located close to another new feature of the space, a free hot cocoa and coffee station.

Food and drink are now allowed in the space, adding a more comfortable and welcoming feel than previous years, where this was not the case. 

“What we want it to be is warm and inviting. We want it to be a place where you come if you have homework or a project,” Skates said. “Come and feel comfortable here in your studies, [whether they are] collaborative or individual.”

New movable whiteboards and monitors are also available for student use. Additionally, student requests that SLC hours be extended later on school nights have been answered. With Wilson coming on board, staffing late nights will not be an issue.

“Starting Sunday, March 2, the new hours for the study space for the commons will be: Sunday 3 p.m.-12 a.m., Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-12 a.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.,” Skates said. She added that this does not include all of the offices, and that the space will remain closed on Saturdays due to a lack of student demand. 

“We will continue to monitor and get feedback and if we see a need, we can adjust,” Skates added.

“I love the campus at night time,” said Wilson. “It’s good for me to know that the night owls on campus will have a space to go. I’m excited to bring more life to the Learning Commons. I think that a lot of people see it as the library, but this is a place where you can come to study.”

While getting her degree at MC, Wilson worked closely with Noah Bowman and was an Academic Mentor throughout the years when the “Col.Lab really shot up.” She was a first year student during Covid, when the library was closed, and added that if the library was as comfortable as it is now, she probably would have done better academically.

“Seeing more students learn how to use the space is going to be really exciting,” Wilson said. “I think having a more comfortable space for students will give them a better place to study and interact with each other, and that will reflect positively on their grades.”

“If you haven’t checked it out yet, come check the place out,” Skates said. “I want students to feel welcome and use the space and give us feedback. Send an email or stop by the desk if there is something you would like to see.”