Keane Hall 4th Floor Getting a Makeover
Former residence rooms will now host Athletic Training, Kinesiology
Work is underway to renovate the fourth floor of Keane Hall to provide updated learning spaces for Loras College’s Master’s of Athletic Training and kinesiology programs. The new facilities will be available beginning in January.
The updated space will feature new lab spaces for athletic training and kinesiology and serve as the new home for both programs. It will also include offices for faculty and staff, study space for students and showers.
“The Athletic Training and Kinesiology labs will have state-of-the-art equipment available to support instruction and research, which will further enhance the educational experience in what are already excellent academic programs with exceptional outcomes for graduates,” Donna Heald, provost, said.
Additionally, the Francis J. Noonan School of Business will occupy the other office spaces to ensure all of the business faculty are housed in the same location along with those on the building’s third floor.
“The relocation of Noonan School of Business faculty from various locations will help to provide more opportunities for interdisciplinary interaction, not only within business, but also between Sports Management, Kinesiology, and Athletic Training,” Dr. Heald said.
With the updated facilities, the Master’s in Athletic Training program looks to continue its growth as the first MAT degree in the region.
“The renovation of the Keane Hall 4th floor will provide a tremendous opportunity for Master of Athletic Training (MAT) faculty and students to engage in innovative and transformative teaching and learning experiences,” Molly Figgins, Ph.D., ATC, athletic training program director, said. “The newly upgraded facilities will offer space and equipment for students to participate in cutting-edge health care research and learning through a variety of health care teaching pedagogies, including hands-on skills assessments and mock patient simulation scenarios. The new MAT lab will offer expansive space for practicing crucial athletic training skills for emergent care, orthopedic evaluation, and therapeutic interventions. The lab will also include a life-size mannequin that is computer programmed to allow students to practice general and emergent medical assessments of a variety of injuries and illnesses.
The Kinesiology program has been spread around campus. With a new home in Keane, it will make it easier for the faculty to coordinate while utilizing the latest equipemt to teach students.
“The remodel of Keane’s fourth floor would allow our faculty to have a central location right next to our brand new exercise science lab, and classroom to meet the needs of our growing major,” Elaina Biechler, Ph.D., associate professor of kinesiology, said. “Additionally, we hope to secure new lab equipment such as a wingate bike, weight rack, and functional movement testing equipment, allowing our students to have a state of the art- more in depth hands on experience through a greater variety of laboratory experiences.”
The atheltic training and kinesiology programs work closely together, so the proximity in Keane will lead to a more cohesive student experience.
“With all that our students are currently achieving, it is so exciting to think about future possibilities with brand new, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Our Loras students could not be more deserving of the elevated research and learning opportunities the new Keane Hall facilities will provide,” Figgins said.
Renovations to Keane Hall 4th Floor are being made possible by the generosity of the Class of 1971 and other supporters.
