UofL reopens Bingham Humanities Building after $26.6 million renovation

"This building touches the lives of nearly every student who walks through Belknap Campus. It’s a place that means so much to the people who gather here, a place to strengthen our sense of community and to begin a journey of knowledge," President Gerry Bradley said. "We are grateful to our partners at the Kentucky General Assembly for helping us give this building new life for many generations to come."

attribution · President Gerry Bradley

"My life changed in this building," Hengen said.

attribution · Ryan Hengen

"These improvements are about far more than bricks and mortar," Cardarelli said. "They are about creating spaces where ideas are exchanged, students build confidence, faculty inspire curiosity and meaningful conversations take place every day."

attribution · Katie Cardarelli

"A budget is more than a ledger. It is a statement of priorities," State Senator Gerald Neal said. "In this case, Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly agreed that preserving this campus and improving the places where students learn are priorities worthy of public investment."

attribution · State Senator Gerald Neal

"A budget is more than a ledger. It is a statement of priorities," State Senator Gerald Neal said. "In this case, Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly agreed that preserving this campus and improving the places where students learn are priorities worthy of public investment."

attribution · State Senator Gerald Neal

UofL president Gerry Bradley said the university made the project a priority after securing state asset preservation funding.

"When the opportunity came to seek asset preservation funding, we made this project a priority with a $26.6 million investment," Bradley said.

attribution · Gerry Bradley

"It just shows that our students have been heard and that we are valued as arts and sciences majors, in that what we are learning matters and we are heard and seen in the spaces for us," UofL Spanish language student Alexandra Baeza said.

attribution · Alexandra Baeza

UofL provost Katie Cardarelli said the improvements are designed to create a more modern learning environment for students and faculty.

attribution · Katie Cardarelli

State Rep. James Tipton said investing in universities is ultimately an investment in students.

"It’s also important to invest in our universities, because an investment in our university is an investment in the students," Tipton said.

attribution · James Tipton

Neal said the project is about more than renovating a building.

"This is about more than a building. It’s about what we value and whom we prepare for the future," Neal said.

attribution · Gerald Neal

State Sen. Gerald Neal encouraged students to take advantage of the renovated space and the opportunities it provides.

"Claim this space, ask difficult questions, follow the evidence and listen carefully and speak when conscience requires it," Neal said.

attribution · Gerald Neal

UofL English professor Andrew Rabin said the work students do in the building can continue to inspire and help them grow long after they leave campus.

attribution · Andrew Rabin

Baeza encouraged students to visit the renovated building and make it their own.

"I just encourage all students to come in here, check it out again. Try to find that connection here and always go Cards," she said.

attribution · Alexandra Baeza

The dean of UofL's College of Arts and Sciences says that classes in the building are important for all students regardless of their field of study.

attribution · College of Arts and Sciences dean

And that's what this building offers a place where students develop critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and cultural understanding, as well as the judgment, communication skills, and real world experience that they will carry into their careers.

attribution · College of Arts and Sciences dean