FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Tuesday, September 30, 2003

Refurbished Dorm Opens at SUNY Oswego

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Building Re-dedicated to Memory of Harold B. Johnson, Founding Member of DASNY Board

OSWEGO The Dormitory Authority joined students and officials from the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Oswego today to celebrate the renovation of Johnson Hall.

Descendents of Harold B. Johnson attended the ceremony, during which the hall was rededicated to the longtime member of the Colleges Board of Visitors, who also was a founding Member of the Dormitory Authority when it was established in 1944.

Mr. Johnsons grandson, John B. Johnson Jr., chairman and CEO of the Johnson Newspapers Corporation and editor of the Watertown Times, spoke on behalf of the Johnson family. Governor George E. Patakli appointed Mr. Johnson as a Member of the Authority in 2001. His father, John B. Johnson Sr., served 44 years on the Dormitory Authority Board before his death in 2001. Under the leadership of the Johnson family, the Johnson Newspapers Corporation now publishes seven daily newspapers, including the flagship Watertown Daily Times, as well as seven weekly newspapers and three shopping newspapers.

It was 44 years ago that my father came here to Oswego State to open Johnson Hall, Mr. Johnson said. My grandfather always had a very soft spot in his heart for the state university.

Of the renovation project, Mr. Johnson said, Its a thrill. It doesnt happen very often that a building is rejuvenated and given new life.

The $11 million rejuvenation was a total renovation, including a new lounge with a fireplace, an outdoor terrace, air conditioning, new elevators, more electrical outlets in each bedroom, larger bathrooms, a new fourth floor with copper roofing, and an indoor connection to the adjacent Lakeside Dining Hall. Old brick was interwoven with new brick panels to marry the old and new exterior. The dormitory can accommodate 240 students.

Associate Dean of Students Chuck Weeks said, The redesigned and renovated Johnson Hall has turned out to be an attractive and comfortable residential building, and a perfect place for the education and development of first-year students. Johnson Hall is the home of the Colleges First-Year Residential Experience for freshmen, an award-winning orientation program for freshmen.

Director of Statewide Facilities Pat Cinelli represented the Dormitory Authority at the ceremony. Within the residence halls, the students do their living, their studying and make friendships that last a lifetime, he told the students and College officials. This is not just a cosmetic renovation. This is a completely rebuilt building, bigger than before and mixing its past and its future.

Mr. Cinelli thanked College President Stanley and her staff for choosing the Dormitory Authority as their finance and construction partner. DASNY is managing renovation projects at Riggs Hall and Lakeside Dining Hall.

In addition to Mr. Cinelli, the project team consisted of Project Manager Jennifer Parsons and Field Representatives John Bodnar and James Monroe. Flynn Battaglia was the architect, and Welliver McGuire was the contractor.

For more information, contact Press Officer Claudia Hutton at (518) 257 3382, or CHutton@dasny.org. You can also visit http://www.oswego.edu/

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