A ‘powerful symbol’ for the humanities at Miami

Renovated Bachelor Hall to open for classes this fall

By Miami University

February 18^th, 2026

A hub for the humanities

As Miami University’s hub for the humanities, the renovated Bachelor Hall will be a dynamic, interactive, and collaborative space once it’s officially open for classes this fall.

This two-year process has consolidated space and modernized classrooms, and it will create an environment for scholarly work and interdepartmental partnerships by housing Miami’s core humanities fields in the same building.

View from Bachelor Hall's window shows Miami University's campus. Students walk along sidewalks, and brick buildings line the street. Hallway with closed office doors runs along the right. — A window in the renovated Bachelor Hall overlooks the intersection of Patterson and Spring streets.

‘It’s going to transform how the humanities operate’

Bachelor Hall will be the home for the departments of English; History; Media, Journalism, and Film; and Philosophy, as well as the Altman Institute for the Humanities, the American Culture and English Program, and the Ohio Writing Project.

Renée Baernstein, dean of the College of Arts and Science, is excited to see the new ways Bachelor Hall will bring people together.

“It’s going to transform how the humanities operate and are experienced by Miami students and faculty,” Baernstein said. “This is a tremendous step forward for the important work that the humanities do today.”

Interior view of Bachelor Hall shows a collaborative workspace. Large windows overlook a brick building and campus green. High table with chairs, lounge seating, and modern lighting. — Bachelor Hall has been renovated and will reopen for classes in the fall.

View of the interior of Bacheler Hall at Miami University through a window. The multi-story atrium has skylights, a central staircase, and seating areas. The building's architecture is modern and bright. — A window overlooks the atrium area of the renovated Bachelor Hall.

Reinforcing Miami's commitment

In October, Miami President Gregory Crawford announced that the Humanities Center would be renamed the Altman Institute for the Humanities in honor of the longtime support of alumnus John W. Altman.

“Bachelor Hall reinforces Miami University’s commitment to the humanities and communication arts,” President Crawford said. “This newly renovated space is where deep scholarship meets powerful storytelling, where history, philosophy, and composition intersect with media, journalism, and film, and where scholars connect across disciplines. It advances our mission to equip students with the knowledge, creativity, character, and ethical grounding, as well as the durable soft skills, critical thinking, moral reasoning, and writing abilities needed to lead in an ever-changing and complex global society.”

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Interior view of Bacheler Hall shows a renovated atrium with skylights, white walls, and dark-framed windows. A central staircase connects two levels, with a balcony overlooking the lower floor. — The atrium area in the renovated Bachelor Hall.

A state-of-the-art facility

Tim Melley, director of the institute, called Bachelor Hall a “powerful symbol” of Miami’s support and is thrilled that the Altman Institute for the Humanities will be housed there.

“Situated in the heart of the building, this state-of-the-art facility will bring together thousands of Miamians each year for lectures, seminars, labs, research collaborations, and public-facing projects,” Melley said. “The generous support of the Altman family, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the state of Ohio, and our faithful alumni speaks volumes about the vital importance of the humanities today.”

Interior view of Bacheler Hall at Miami University with a skylight ceiling. A grand staircase leads to the second floor, with rows of windows visible on the white walls. The space is modern and bright. — The atrium area in the renovated Bachelor Hall.

The atrium area in the renovated Bachelor Hall.

New features, new opportunities

While classes resume in the building in the fall, Baernstein noted Bachelor Hall will host events this summer, with a grand opening ceremony expected in September.

New features at Bachelor include a modern TV studio; the Bachelor Great Room, a 68-person multifunctional space for events and teaching; a dedicated event space for the Humanities Center; and an atrium, a four-story space that will provide visual and physical connectivity to the core of the building.

A view from a conference room overlooking the atrium of Bachelor Hall. The atrium has white walls, dark windows, and skylights. A seating area is visible on the ground floor. The conference room has a long white table and gray chairs. — Students will be back in the renovated Bachelor Hall for classes in the fall.

The new home for MJF

Students in the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film will benefit greatly from the updated production facilities, according to Rosemary Pennington, department chair. From the green screen in the TV studio to multiple audio studios for podcasts, live recording of music, and more, students will be able to do “virtually anything they want related to production.”

“Anything they can dream up, we can make happen in the new space,” Pennington said.

A sign identifying the Bachelor Reading Room in the renovated Bachelor Hall.

The Bachelor Reading Room in the renovated Bachelor Hall.

A space for prospective students to see themselves in

Make it Miami tours this spring have offered prospective students a glimpse of the future of humanities at the university.

“It’s important that students and their parents can see themselves in this space and see what their lives would be like here,” Pennington said. “This is a state-of-the-art building. It’s going to allow us to showcase the humanities in really important ways. It’s nice to have a space to make the humanities more visible. You see for yourself how the humanities are more modern and engage with the world.”

Hallway in Bachelor Hall features a collaboration space. A red alcove contains a built-in corner bench with striped cushions and three small round tables. The floor is patterned carpet. Long hallways extend in both directions. — There are several study places and meeting areas in the renovated Bachelor Hall.

There will be 20 classrooms and 141 offices, with an expansion in square footage from 112,000 to 120,418.

Bachelor was originally built in 1978, and while there have been updates to the building over the years, this is the first major overhaul in its 45-plus year history.

Interior of renovated Bachelor Hall classroom at Miami University. White tables and gray chairs fill the room, with a large whiteboard on the left wall. A glass wall reveals the building's interior courtyard. — Students will be back in the renovated Bachelor Hall for classes in the fall.

Hallway in Bachelor Hall features a wall of windows, letting in natural light. Stacks of chairs sit near tables. Outside, a brick building is visible. — Bachelor Hall underwent a two-year renovation process and will reopen for classes in the fall.

“It’s been designed to inspire and invigorate everyone, with beautiful common areas, nooks and crannies for small groups, and heads-down space for individuals,” Baernstein said. "We sometimes forget how much the built environment can transform our work. Working and studying in a space that is purpose built, where we feel the institution supports and cares for our work, is a powerful driver of excellence.”

“This is a testament to Miami’s ongoing encouragement and dedication to the humanities. I can’t wait to see what our faculty and students are going to be able to accomplish there.”