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KALAMAZOO--The Lee Honors College building has undergone a $1.7 million expansion and renovation.

This yearlong project added 4,000 square feet to what had been an 8,400-square-foot building. The facility now has doubled its original number of classrooms, which are outfitted with the latest instructional technology.

In addition to the new classrooms, honors college students now have a cutting-edge learning lab and seminar room to use. The seminar space, for instance, has a tiled screen with Skype capabilities that supports distant-learning sessions.

The redesigned building also has a relocated and upgraded library/resource center and a remodeled student lounge with new audio equipment, electronic projection screen and new furnishings. Outside the building, there is now a 500-square-foot outdoor classroom with tiered seating for more than two dozen students.

Made possible by generous philanthropic support, the project's major donor is Carl E. Lee, who provided $1.1 million in funding for the expansion. Lee is the former president, general manager and owner of the Fetzer Broadcasting Co. He and his wife, Winifred, contributed $500,000 when the honors program building was originally constructed two decades ago. The building is named in their honor.

Lee Honors College

É«É«À²'s honors college has a long history. Distinguished as one of the nation's oldest and most-venerated collegiate honors programs, the Lee Honors College begins this academic year by celebrating 50 years of service to students and the University community.

Enrolling some 1,600 students, the college attracts top achievers from across the country. High school students who are accepted to É«É«À² are invited to join the college if they have at least a composite ACT score of 26 and a 3.6 grade point average. Once accepted, among other requirements, students must maintain their high academic achievement, contribute hours of community service annually, take part in several cultural events and complete a senior thesis.