The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Kiewit Hall opened to rave reviews as the spring semester started Jan. 22.
The six-story, privately funded, $115 million building is the College of Engineering’s new hub for undergraduate education. Located on the corner of 17th and Vine streets, immediately west of Sandoz Hall, Kiewit Hall connects five engineering facilities and is home to the university’s construction management program.
Inside a windowed façade, the space offers a mix of multipurpose classrooms, instructional labs, engineering student services, makerspaces for student organizations, and (coming in the fall, as some construction continues) a large outdoor plaza.
As the building opened, students were greeted by donuts, coffee and hot chocolate on their way to class. Most streamed in with smiles, looking around at the building’s six-story grand staircase and pausing for photos and videos.
For Meghan Murphy, a sophomore construction management major from Chicago, the first day was a second chance to see Kiewit Hall.
“We received a preview as part of the Kiewit Scholars Program,” Murphy said. “(Kiewit Hall) is so much more social and inviting than where we were in Nebraska Hall. I can already tell that my walk to class and knowing I get to study in this space is going to be a lot of fun and enjoyable.”
Her favorite part of the building is what is informally being called “The Garage,” a space on the first floor and lower level that will serve as home base for the college’s recognized student organizations. When it opens fully later this year, the space will include offices; collaboration and study spaces; makerspaces with equipment for woodworking, machining and welding; computer numerical control machine; 3D printer; and a crane to hoist heavy items, such as the engines built by the college’s SAE Baja and Formula SAE teams.
Murphy was so excited about the space that she even brought friend and construction engineering major Meg Potter, a senior from Amarillo, Texas, to check it out.
“I cannot say that I am super handy yet, but I love that we are going to learn how to use these big machines,” Murphy said. “Having access to that sort of hands-on experience is an incredible opportunity.”
Potter said Kiewit Hall was a primary reason she chose Nebraska Engineering over other universities.
“UNL has an outstanding construction management program, but this building, and getting to learn in it, was a main draw for me,” Potter said. “This building is a sign that the University of Nebraska really wants the best for their students. They are giving us everything we need to succeed — and that is pretty great.”
While his Kiewit Hall classroom will not be ready until next week, Junke Guo, associate professor of civil engineering, was all smiles as he walked through the new space.
“I still have not found my lecture hall, but I like everything about this building,” Guo said. “It is a great environment, very open. And the new technology and facilities are going to be great for teaching and learning.”
Excited to teach this semester in the newest building on campus Kiewit Hall for the @NebEngineering! @UNLincoln pic.twitter.com/1SDsh8WN70
— Nirupam Aich (@NirupamAich) January 16, 2024
Even though she does not have class in Kiewit, Isabelle Droste, a senior political science and psychology major, made the building her first stop of the new semester. She was among the many Huskers marveling at the open floor plans and natural light.
“I’ve been watching the construction from my dorm room and had to stop by and see what it was like on the inside,” Droste said. “It is an incredible space — so open, and the light is amazing.
“This is a great addition to campus.”
Alex Persson, a junior mechanical engineering major from Omaha, agreed as he sat with fellow students hanging out between classes in a second-floor lounge.
“I really like the overall design of the space,” Persson said. “The classrooms seem nice and are big. And there’s a bunch of spare seating so you can be here waiting for your next class or studying. That is definitely something that will help create a greater sense of community in our college.”
Phil Carter, coordinator for external and community relations in the college, said the potential of the space — from opportunities to expand connections between the college with the campus community and industry leaders — is the most exciting part of Kiewit Hall.
"I'm excited about having Kiewit Cafe here, and new office space is always nice," Carter said. "But, Kiewit Hall is going to expand everything we do. We envision using this space to host events for all of campus, for our senior design showcase, and to work closer with industry partners to expand internship and employment opportunities.
"This is a wonderful facility for our students, and I'm going to enjoy seeing them take advantage of the everything Kiewit Hall has to offer."
We’ve moved!
The Durham School’s Construction Program now occupies the 4th floor in this magnificent building. #kiewithall
We are excited to kick off the spring semester starting Monday, and cant wait to have our students in this state-of-the-art learning space! #UNL pic.twitter.com/7waTUJjwj8— The Durham School (@TheDurhamSchool) January 20, 2024
The support of the corporations and firms who hire Nebraska Engineering graduates is also noticeable throughout Kiewit Hall. That support included a $25 million naming gift from Kiewit Corporation, an Omaha-based construction firm with offices worldwide, among numerous donors.
Kiewit Hall is the centerpiece of the college’s $190 million facilities investment, which began in 2019 and continues with ongoing renovations to Scott Engineering Center. In 2022, the college opened the 87,000-square-foot Engineering Research Center, with more than 50 state-of-the-art research labs and graduate student offices.
