Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/275341
the professional • February 2014 1 February 2014 • cmich.edu/ehs the professional a newsletter of the college of education and human services Perhaps only the most diehard Chippewa sports fans and Central Michigan historians know everything there is to know about Finch Fieldhouse. But returning visitors to the historic building may have been pleasantly caught off-guard this past fall. Before the current academic year started, Finch boldly stepped into the 21st century with office renovations that included revamped classrooms, appropriate recreational and leisure photos throughout the hallways, a spiffed-up Adventure Center and upgraded parking. The current insiders at Finch – a shared home to the Department of Military Science and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration – seem thrilled. "The students love the added paint colors, pictures and refinished wood floors," says Bob Frost, chair of RPL. "The faculty are delighted to have both matching and functional furniture. Finch is now ready for its next 60 years." As for the future, Frost thinks the upgrades will help boost RPL, often a "self-discovery" program for students after they've been on campus. "Finch has not been on the map for campus tours for a while," he says. "We hope the inside changes will make our environment more appealing and attractive for students and visitors." Frost says the upgrade has been a long time coming, adding that Finch Fieldhouse has great history and character. Part of that history includes a basketball dedication game in 1951 when Central upset the University of Michigan. Character, in part, may come in the name. The building became Finch Hall in 1962, in honor of Ronald W. Finch, the former track and football coach and longtime head of the Department of Physical Education (1942-59). Finch also became the first dean of the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation when it formed in 1959. Finch facelift Finch facelift CMU upgrades historic fieldhouse by William Meiners Inside a recreation class in one of the renovated Finch classrooms