New semester, fresh paint, bright views greet first occupants of Doti Hall

Its dedication ceremony isn’t until next month, but the James L. and Lynne P. Doti Hall officially opened its doors today as students found their way to classes on the first day of the spring 2013 semester and faculty moved into their offices.

“It’s a great way to start the semester,” said Fran Dickson, professor and chair of the Department of Communication Studies, which is the primary occupant of the new classroom building. Most of the department was previously located in Moulton Hall, which is chiefly the domain of fine arts and theatre programs. “I felt like in Moulton Hall it wasn’t quite our home. It was like we were renting.”

The James L. and Lynne P. Doti Hall is the final piece in the university’s long-planned completion of the historic core campus. The historic structures surrounding the lawn were all once part of the former Orange High School campus. Like its counterparts, built from 1913 to 1921, Doti Hall is designed in the neoclassical style of architecture. It houses four 36-seat classrooms, five 18-seat classrooms, two 16-seat seminar rooms and 14 faculty offices.

The 15,000-square-foot building will be formally dedicated following the State of the University address Friday, Feb. 22. The State of the University is planned for 10:30 a.m. and the dedication at 11:30 a.m.