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Photo Feature: ‘Front Door’ Gets a Facelift


A home’s front door is the first thing a visitor sees. If that door is dilapidated, the hinges rusty, the paint peeling, that visitor assumes the rest of the house—or the neighborhood—is in similar disrepair. Waidner Admissions House is the front door to Dickinson College—the first space on campus most prospective families see, and it wasn’t making a good first impression.

This summer, the admissions staff moved to the Waidner-Spahr Library so the house could be renovated, top to bottom. With everything from new paint and furniture to a new layout and a 4,500-square-foot addition, the building has new life and purpose. It is now Americans with Disabilities Act compliant and pursuing Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification.

The photos below offer an insider’s look at the new space.


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  • The exterior of the Waidner Admissions House only changed slightly, with a new enclosed vestibule that offers campus visitors 24/7 access to information in the front of the building and a 4,500-square-foot addition on the back.
    Admissions Front
  • This new vestibule will allow visitors who arrive when the admissions office is closed to still enjoy a substantive visit experience. The welcome center includes a stock of printed campus maps, information cards for visitors to fill out and a touch-screen monitor complete with an interactive campus map, a weekly listing of on-campus events, the virtual tour and more.
    Vestibule
  • Visitors are greeted warmly when they enter the building by a member of the admissions staff positioned at this desk.  
    Warm Welcome
  • Upon entering the building, the Yale and Audrey Asbell Room on the right is one of several new visitor spaces and features a gas fireplace.
    Asbell Lounge
  • To the left of the entry, the R. Russell "Rusty" Shunk Room, dedicated to the former admissions dean, includes a flat-screen TV, beverage station and visitor computer.  
    Shunk Lounge
  • One of the most unique elements of the Waidner Admissions House has always been this double staircase, and the renovation not only left it intact but spruced it up to give it even more of an impact.  
    Original Staircase
  • The largest of the lounges, the Lower Lounge (awaiting a new name since the floor was raised to be level with the rest of the building) offers ample space on the college's busiest visit days.  
    Lower Lounge
  • This conference room seats 12 people and features arched doorways and windows that are original to the building.
    Conference Room
  • The gallery marks the beginning of the new addition. It includes slate floors and unusual artwork and is an ideal space for mingling.
    Gallery
  • The two-story open concept for the gallery space allows natural light to flood in from both floors.  
    Gallery from Above
  • Information sessions for up to 50 visitors can now be held in this customized space.  
    Info Session Room
  • An additional staircase to the second floor was added off the galley and is accented by the slate floors and red walls.  
    Back Staircase
  • The admissions counselors are housed together along this hallway, which is also dotted with small gathering spaces ideal for meetings, interviews and informal chats.  
    Counselor Hallway
  • The counselor offices all have similar sleek, space-saving furniture. Greg Moyer '06, associate director of admissions, chose to decorate his shelves with a plethora of Dickinson paraphernalia.  
    Counselor Office
  • The original double staircase was given a modern twist at the top with the installation of this glass. Through the windows, the new outdoor patio is visible.  
    Top of Stairs
  • This eight-person conference room is situated beside Dean of Admissions Stephanie Balmer's office.  
    Dean's Conference Room
  • This additional meeting space overlooks the gallery.  
    Meeting Space
The exterior of the Waidner Admissions House only changed slightly, with a new enclosed vestibule that offers campus visitors 24/7 access to information in the front of the building and a 4,500-square-foot addition on the back.Prev ImageNext Image

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