CI is on the move

The College of Communication and Information is in the midst of two major capital projects to help transform our spaces into a modern, welcoming environment with state-of-the-art classrooms and learning laboratories where students can learn side-by-side with industry professionals and award-winning faculty.

Pence Hall Project

Most CI alumni, especially those from the days when the College mostly fit in one building, have fond memories of the Grehan Journalism Building. CI grew over the years, merged with our colleagues from the library and information program and ended up in several buildings spread across campus. CI vacated Grehan in 2018 when that building was repurposed, and multiple CI units moved into Blazer Dining, scattering CI faculty, staff and students across both north and central campus.

Last year, the University of Kentucky launched a plan to reunite CI by building a cohesive College of Communication and Information neighborhood in the heart of campus. At the center of the neighborhood is Pence Hall, a building well known to anyone who ever spent time on the historic Grehan steps. This neighborhood concept came to fruition when the College of Design finalized its plan to move to the newly renovated Gray Design Building (formerly the Reynolds Building).

Pence is the ideal location to complement CI’s existing operations in neighboring McVey Hall, which houses the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication, Graduate Program in Communication and Business Center, and in nearby Lucille Caudill Little Library, home to the School of Information Science and future home to and UK Debate.

Pence renovations are scheduled to start in Spring 2024. When completed in 2025, Pence will house the Office of the Dean, CI Student Success, Student Media, the Department of Communication, the School of Journalism and Media, as well as modern classrooms and production spaces. 

Pence’s historic front entryway and wrought iron staircase are a distinct part of the building’s identity, and these key elements will be retained when transforming Pence into the new front door of CI. The back of the building, however, will be transformed into a new, modern entryway featuring a balcony, outdoor learning/gathering space and improved accessibility for all. Pence will also have a zoned layout  with each floor having a distinct purpose. 

The project is part of the University’s Asset Preservation initiative, a multiphase effort to preserve existing campus buildings supported by funds approved by the Kentucky legislature. The Pence project offers ample space naming opportunities for friends and alumni who would like to support CI’s bright future in this new facility.

Rupp Project

In addition to the renovation of Pence Hall, CI is continuing the project featured in this magazine last year, the new state-ofthe- art production and broadcast facility in Central Bank Center outside Rupp Arena. That project is still on track for completion in 2024 and will offer students unique opportunities to train alongside professionals working for UK Athletics and JMI, UK’s media rights partner.