Ironworkers and Operator Engineers installing safer bridge over the Boneyard Creek.

Making It Safe: A New Green Boneyard Bridge

Ironworkers make things safer. In the end, their repairs to a bridge over the Boneyard Creek will last decades and allow safe passage between student housing and buildings on the Grainger College of Engineering Quad. The now-bright green bridge is just north of the Astronomy Building. The culprit causing damage was rust, which disintegrated parts of the bridge bottom. F&S ironworkers Mike Paris and Rene … Continue reading Making It Safe: A New Green Boneyard Bridge

Mike Larson, F&S Abbott Power Plant, gives a tour to local girl scouts

Girl Power: Education at Abbott

Local girl scouts came on a Saturday morning to learn about the utility systems operated at Abbott Power Plant. Associate professor in Civil and Electrical Engineering (CEE) in the Grainger College of Engineering, Ashlynn Stillwell helped organize and manage the groups and distributed safety and personal protective equipment (PPE). Stillwell is also the former Central Illinois Girl Scout leader. Kids toured the power plant with … Continue reading Girl Power: Education at Abbott

1901 photo of Davenport Hall.

Two Acres at the Root of University History

Story by Dave Evensen, LASHistoric photo courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives Originally called the Agriculture Building, Davenport Hall helped define the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) and the layout of campus itself. Burrill Inspires Davenport: “This is Illinois…” There are walks in the park and then there are walks that affect the course of university history for the next 128 years, … Continue reading Two Acres at the Root of University History

Red light shines inside the Observatory

Deferred Maintenance Aids ‘The Night Spot’

By Trish Barker, LAS New projects, planning, and deep appreciation keep the Observatory looking upward On a typical day, thousands of students, faculty, and staff crisscross campus, hustling from one class, project, meeting, and building to another. During daylight hours, crowds flow in and out of major destinations like Lincoln Hall, the Union, and the Library. Preserving that experience for students and visitors means preserving the … Continue reading Deferred Maintenance Aids ‘The Night Spot’

Ebony Murray and Todd Hawkins

Two of Our Own

Todd Hawkins and Ebony Murray were honored with Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award, “recognizing exceptional performance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.” “It is a signal of high esteem in which your colleagues hold you,” wrote Chancellor Robert Jones. For the full announcement, including 14 others from around campus, see: https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/1550162396. Todd Hawkins, ironworker foreperson Listen to a new podcast with Todd Hawkins here. From the … Continue reading Two of Our Own

New crane at Undergraduate Library

Big Blue: New Crane Acquired to Use on UGL Renovation

The Undergraduate Library is changing. The underground facility long used by students is moving most of its resources to the Main Library. Demolition is part of the makeover, and F&S operating engineers play a big role. As put by The Daily Illini: After it shuts its doors… the Undergraduate Library will be closed for construction as part of a project to transform it into a … Continue reading Big Blue: New Crane Acquired to Use on UGL Renovation

Illini Hall demolition

Demo Work Kickstarts Years-Long Renovation Plan for Illini and Altgeld Halls

Better get a good peek now, because soon, Illini Hall will be gone. First erected in 1907 as the official University of Illinois YMCA across Wright Street from the venerable Main Quad, Illini Hall is in the process of demolition and replacement. By the end of February 2023 or so, it’ll be gone. This action also starts the clock on work coming for its cross-street … Continue reading Demo Work Kickstarts Years-Long Renovation Plan for Illini and Altgeld Halls

Carpenters staging furniture before replacing carpet at NCSA.

Carpenters, Painters, Laborers Take the Stage

Carpenters, painters, and laborers replaced much of the carpeted flooring on the second, third, and fourth floors at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) building. It was an important task in a big location and came with unique challenges. Staging F&S labeled every chair, table, and computer by its office number. Once removed, carpenters and laborers could ensure each piece of furniture go back … Continue reading Carpenters, Painters, Laborers Take the Stage

Shop Spotlight: Operating Engineers with heavy machinery in transportation bay.

Shop Spotlight: Operator Engineers

Who doesn’t want to play in the dirt?? Stephanie Amabeli, F&S Operator Engineer F&S operating engineers learn and use machinery to aid in construction, renovation, and other labor across campus. Small machines plow snow from paths. Backhoes move earth to access underground networks. Cranes and other extending arm implements take work to the skies. An operator’s very purpose is to support other crafts and trades … Continue reading Shop Spotlight: Operator Engineers