DuBois dedicates restored landmark
as new campus administrative center

Three years of work came to fruition recently as Penn State DuBois held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially dedicate its new campus administrative center, Symmco House.

Although new to Penn State DuBois, Symmco House has been a community landmark for 100 years. Lumberman and city namesake John E. DuBois built the home at the turn of the 20th century, and several generations of the DuBois family have resided there. It is located adjacent to the campus.

The University purchased the house in 1998. A $100,000 gift from the Symmco Foundation of Sykesville financed the interior renovations.

Other benefactors who contributed to the project include: The Glenn and Ruth Mengle Foundation, Robert and Joyce Umbaugh, KTH Architects, the Gray Family Foundation, and Miller Brothers Furniture.

Symmco House provides Penn State DuBois with something it has never enjoyed before: a center dedicated exclusively to administrative needs. It is home to the offices and staff of the campus executive officer, director of academic affairs and director of university relations.

Moving these offices from their previous locations has provided room for other campus offices to expand. The Office of Student Affairs and Continuing Education units have extended their work space in the Hiller Building, providing increased efficiency and more privacy for students using these services. In the future, faculty office space also will be located in the Hiller Building. The campus Business Services office has relocated to the former University Relations House, now called the Business Services House.

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