Early Monday morning the intersection of Hildebrand and Broadway buzzed with activity as University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) students streamed into the newly renovated Founders Hall. The nine‑story, 380,000‑square‑foot building, once the headquarters of Southwestern Bell and AT&T, now serves as a major expansion of UIW’s main campus.
Renovation milestones
UIW purchased the property in spring 2019, seeing it as a rare opportunity for a land‑locked campus to grow. The university hired San Antonio‑based design firm Lake Flato to restore the 1950s historic structure. The first phase of the project focused on the building’s lower four floors, which now house the School of Media and Design, the School of Math, Science and Engineering, the International Affairs Department, the Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas, the University Police Department and the Student Health Center.
President Thomas Evans addressed the ribbon‑cutting ceremony, noting that the expansion increases UIW’s footprint along Broadway Avenue by roughly 20 percent. “It has been a dream for the UIW community for some time,” Evans said, adding that the new space provides much‑needed “elbow room” for faculty, staff and the incoming class.
Impact on students and staff
Faculty moved into the building in June, followed by administrators and support staff. Evans described the transition as a “breaking‑in period,” during which users provided feedback on technology and space utilization. The renovation added 50 brand‑new classrooms, allowing UIW to welcome its largest freshman cohort ever—about 1,150 first‑time students—this fall.
Beyond classrooms, the expansion offers swing space for future campus projects, ensuring that ongoing renovations elsewhere will not displace students or faculty. Evans indicated that the remaining five floors will eventually host business offices, information technology, human resources and possibly residential units, though no timeline has been set.
Artistic and spiritual touches
Three new murals, created by local artists and students, adorn the hall’s corridors, depicting UIW’s past, present and future while honoring the university’s Catholic heritage. The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who founded the institution, were also present for the blessing ceremony at the new Col. Charles E. Cheever Legacy Event Center.
“We called on students, faculty, board members and leaders to help shape a bold vision that reflects our mission and spiritual heritage,” Evans said.
Looking ahead
The university plans to continue renovating other campus areas, using the newly available swing space to accommodate growth without disrupting academic programs. UIW’s expansion underscores a broader trend of higher‑education institutions investing in modern facilities to support academic excellence and community engagement in San Antonio.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
