Before-and-after shots show the amazing transformations that have taken place on the UND campus
There are a ton of words, quotes and anecdotes that comprise this special issue of UND Today. We believe that’s appropriate, because the story of UND’s incredible transformation in just 10 short years merits the special treatment.
But in the spirit of “showing,” not just “telling,” we also wanted to use photos and videos to illustrate the changes.
There are countless examples on our campus that we could have featured in this look-back, but the following will get the message across. And we hope you like the before-and-after vibe!
Special thanks to UND photographers Shawna Schill and Mike Hess and the UND Today staff for all the photos that make this spread possible. Thanks, as well, to Matt Schill, senior UND photographer, and his team for all the videos that help bring this piece to life.
Enjoy!
The Road to Record Recovery package …
But before you begin, here’s a peek at the rest of today’s Road to Record Recovery special edition.
>> The story behind the numbers: UND President Andy Armacost reflects on the tough decisions, hard work and extraordinary partnerships that have built the University of today.
Old Memorial Union demolition underway in 2019. UND photo.
NOW:
The current Memorial Union as it looked in May of this year. UND photo.
Nistler College of Business & Public Administration
THEN:
Old Montgomery Hall, here in 2017, stood for many decades on the site where the current Nistler College of Business & Public Administration now stands. UND photo.Montgomery Hall was torn down in 2020 to make way for the new Nistler College of Business & Public Administration building. UND photo.
NOW:
The brand-new headquarters for UND business and public administration programs — the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration — opened for business (pun intended) in the fall of 2022. UND photo.
Merrifield Hall
THEN:
One of the oldest buildings on campus, Merrifield Hall, seen here in 2023 from its east-facing side, overlooking the main campus quad, has undergone a complete renovation of its interior and exterior. UND photo.
NOW:
The Merrifield renovation brought more spacious settings within the building in addition to modern and comfortable study areas and classrooms and more natural light. UND photo.A key feature of Merrifield’s exterior renovation is the large glass entrance on the east-facing side. There also was a major effort to make the old building more accessible for all. UND photo.
Carnegie Library Building
THEN:
Another one of the University’s oldest structures, the Carnegie Library, seen here undergoing a complete renovation in 2020, is located at the southern-most tip of the main campus quad. The building has served many uses over the years. UND photo.The Carnegie renovation eventually shifted inside in 2023. This photo features the fireplace inside what is now the UND Executive Council meeting room on the building’s main floor. UND photo.
NOW:
Today, Carnegie Hall serves as the campus headquarters for the president and provost and their staff members. UND photo.
Chester Fritz Library
THEN:
Here is the main Chester Fritz Library study area, or “Fishbowl,” circa 2013. UND photo.
NOW:
Here is the same library study area from just a couple of weeks ago, after a major renovation. UND photo.
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
THEN:
Now known as Columbia Hall and home to the College of Arts & Sciences, this former community hospital building, seen here in 2017, used to be the headquarters for the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences. UND photo.This is a look at a main study area within the old SMHS headquarters in 2017, just before a major UND branding effort swept through campus. UND photo.
NOW:
The $124 million School of Medicine & Health Sciences building first opened in 2016. It sits on the northeast corner of the UND campus and was made possible because of the planning and vision of the North Dakota Legislature to strengthen the future of healthcare in the state. UND photo.Like many new buildings on campus, the new School of Medicine & Health Sciences headquarters is spacious and showered in natural light. The building also features several works of art from UND Art Collections, a nod to healing through the inspiration and beauty of art. UND photo.
Steam Plant
THEN:
The old UND coal plant, which used to sit near the center of campus along the railroad tracks, ceased operations in March 2020, ahead of the opening of the new ultra-modern steam plant on the southwest corner of campus. UND photo.The century-old coal-fired powerplant accepted its last load of coal in March 2020, about the time of this photo. The old plant was antiquated and inefficient, held together, sometimes, with creative makeshift solutions to keep things running. UND photo.
NOW:
UND’s new $75 million steam plant, which opened officially in October 2020, operates on natural gas and replaced the University’s century-old coal-fired power plant. It was one of the first P3 (private-public-partnership) projects undertaken by the University. Because of its P3 funding model, the project didn’t cost taxpayers anything to build.The new UND Steam Plant, shown here on its opening day in October 2020, marked the start of a new, greener and more efficient era for UND. UND photo.
University Avenue
THEN:
Crews busily install improvements to University Avenue in 2019. University Avenue serves as the main east-west artery through the heart of the UND campus. UND photo.
NOW:
Today, University Avenue is one of the most beautiful and pedestrian-friendly corridors in Grand Forks. UND photo.
The Archway/Pedestrian Walkway
THEN:
Students navigate UND’s main quad, between classes, back in 2016. UND photo.Work on what would ultimately become a grand pedestrian archway through the heart of campus actually got underway in 2019. UND photo.
NOW:
Today, the east-west pedestrian archway is a popular path for UND’s campus community, beginning just south of the Memorial Union on the east side of campus. UND photo.
Student Experiences
THEN:
McVey Hall common area, circa 2011.Selke Hall common area, circa 2015. UND photo.
NOW:
UND students gather at a West Hall first floor meeting spot. UND photo.Modern, bright and open classrooms that promote engagement comprise many of the new and renovated academic buildings on campus, such as this classroom in Merrifield Hall. UND photo.UND students gather at the Landing Zone to catch up and study. UND photo.
Memorial Village/Athletics District
THEN:
Old Memorial Stadium, looking west toward the main campus in 2013. The venerable stadium was razed in 2021. UND photo.The old football weight room, seen here in the early 2000s, was nestled inside the old Memorial Stadium structure. UND photo.
NOW:
Today, many UND athletes practice and play on some of the finest athletics facilities in the nation, such as the Frederick “Fritz” D. Pollard Athletic Center, Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center, and Albrecht Field for softball, thanks to generous donors and other private-sector support, as well as innovative private-public-partnerships with local developers. UND photo.
The Campus
THEN:
UND campus, looking east, circa 2013. UND photo.
NOW:
UND campus, looking west by southwest, in 2024. UND photo.
A look to the future
STEM
NOW (or just a few short weeks ago):
Old Hyslop Sports Center starting to come down in August 2025. UND photo.
COMING SOON:
This artist’s rendition shows the UND STEM Complex as it will look upon completion. The new development is destined for the site of the old Hyslop Sports Center. UND image.
Flight Ops Building
NOW:
This is a fisheye-lens image of the UND Aerospace fleet of aircraft in 2021, positioned in front of the current UND Flight Ops building and support facilities. UND photo.
COMING SOON:
Rendering of the planned new Flight Operations Center at Grand Forks International Airport.
