As Illinois Wesleyan University welcomes its largest first-year class in over 15 years, students new and old may be noticing a few differences since their last time on campus.
The staff at The Argus organized four changes students may (or may not) have missed in their first few weeks of the 2025-2026 school year.
1. The Petrick Idea Center begins construction
While the Petrick Idea Center’s groundbreaking event was in April, the building area west of Ames School of Art and south of the Memorial Center may look significantly different than the last time students saw it.
Steel framing is beginning to rise, and construction progress is being tracked weekly on Instagram so students who bury their noses during their walks across the quad can still keep up with progress.
2. Water damage scatters the Center for Language Arts’ first floor and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Through a series of events, including water damage in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) suite in the Hansen Student Center and malfunctioning sprinkler heads in the stairwell of the Center for Language Arts (CLA,) numerous offices have been scrambled around campus.
ODI is currently operating out of Holmes Hall 103. Professors from CLA’s first floor have been temporarily relocated among the other two floors of the building while repair efforts are underway.
3. Miscellaneous campus beautification
While campus beautification efforts may not be as glamorous as a new building, they are appreciated nevertheless.
Many parts of campus have gotten a little facelift, including the sidewalks outside the Shirk Center (which now includes a new stone with IWU’s name) and the sidewalks outside the Hansen Student Center.
4. SAGA/ Bertholf Commons renovations
Last, but certainly not least, is the renovation of the Bertholf Commons, known by most as SAGA.
The renovations added a variety of new food preparation options, including a new sandwich bar and a wood-fired pizza oven.
TVs were added allowing students to engage in trivia or watch live events, including NFL football games. The renovations also added two gender-neutral single-stall bathrooms.
