Forward Together to the ceremonial groundbreaking!

While physical work on the O’Neill Center began last week, we joined to commemorate the groundbreaking ceremonially today.

We began with hot chocolate, then SPEA faculty, staff, and students headed across the street for a group photo with the SPEA building—in the process of deconstruction to make way for improvements—as the back drop.

Photographer Kendall Reeves sets up the shot.

With shovels, Dean John D. Graham (left), Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs Kirsten Grønbjerg,
and Executive Associate Dean Michael McGuire at the front.

From there, led by Bob Kravchuk, director of the MPA Program (left),  Grønbjerg, and McGuire—a group of about 150 made their way to the IU Auditorium for the official IU groundbreaking ceremony.

Watch the ceremony online»
Read the news release»

Kravchuk, Grønbjerg, and McGuire lead the way.

A procession follows.

With music provided by the IU Jacobs School of Music Jazz ensemble featuring Monika G.M. Herzig, senior lecturer at SPEA, university luminaries spoke highly about SPEA—our faculty, our programs, our students, our good works—and the incredible building in the process of adjoining our academic home, culminating with a ceremonial breaking of ground.

IU Jacobs School of Music Jazz ensemble featuring Monika G.M. Herzig.

IU Trustees Philip N. Eskew Jr.(left) and Anna M. Williams (also a SPEA student), IU President Michael A. McRobbie,
and IU Provost Lauren Robel scoop the first shovels.

Followed by Daniel R. Esposito, MPA/MSES student and president of the SPEA Graduate Student Association, Yasmine El-Gohary, MPA student and 2015 organizer of the SPEA Auction and Gala, with Dean Graham. 

In case you couldn’t join us, here’s the front of the official program--we look forward to continuing to move Forward Together!