Amy Novak, right, president of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, speaks at the dedication of Higgins Hall April 13. Seated in the front row is Tom Higgins, who made a substantial donation for the renovation of the hall — formerly knows at LeClaire Hall.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — In 1917, St. Ambrose College (now university) celebrated the dedication of LeClaire Hall, a facility boasting an indoor pool, gymnasium and track. On April 13, members of the St. Ambrose community looked to the future of the 107-year-old building during a blessing, dedication and renaming ceremony.
The renovated building is now home to the School of Social Work, the Institute for Person-Centered Care and the Master of Public Health program. Throughout the building, many historic traces of the original pool, wooden basketball court, track and brick walls remain.
The building’s new name – Higgins Hall — honors alumnus and benefactor Tom Higgins. “He believes in the dignity of every person and is at the heart of this effort,” President Amy Novak said. “We are so grateful.”
Higgins graduated cum laude from St. Ambrose in 1967 and was president of the student government. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees for 15 years. His life took him on a journey of public service and led to ventures in publishing, clean technology and biotechnology.
Previously, Higgins donated $1 million to St. Ambrose University to launch the Institute for Person-Centered Care and the newly formed Master of Public Health degree. He also contributed funds for the School of Social Work. He made a significant, but undisclosed, donation for the renovation of LeClaire, now Higgins Hall.
At the dedication ceremony, Higgins said he spent a “fair amount of time in LeClaire (Hall). I did not excel in any sport, but it was a cool place to hang out.” He said St. Ambrose “prepares learners for the future,” and the university must adapt through principle-driven change. “Our mission here is to transform education.”
Students Jaylon Foster and Andrew Held thanked Higgins for his donation to transform the building, which reopened in January. Foster likes the collaborative environment and Held the retention of the historical past with “amazing tools.” It took time for the students and faculty to adjust to the new technology in the building, but together, they figured it out.
Katie Van Blair, dean of Innovation, Adult and Graduate Studies said, “We must be forward thinking and remove barriers and prepare our students for the work force.” She was impressed with the “state of the art” and “beautiful” flexibility of the newly renovated building. “Thank you, Mr. Higgins.”
Chaplain Father Ross Epping blessed and dedicated the building as members of the St. Ambrose University Chorale sang from the former track above the celebration area.
Following petitions read by various students, faculty and staff, Novak used the analogy of the former pool in the lower level and tied it into the future. “In the shallow end, we dip our toes in to learn new subjects and lay a new foundation,” she said. Going from shallow to deep water requires courage, but the possibilities there are endless. “Embrace the challenges ahead and navigate the depths of knowledge. Dive in with open hearts and minds and emerge as visionaries of tomorrow.”
“The real innovation is the people – not the building,” Higgins said.
