University of Scranton Dedicates Christopher and Margaret Condron Hall

The University of Scranton dedicated its new 386-bed sophomore residence hall in honor of Christopher and Margaret Condron at a Dedication Ceremony and Open House on Sept. 10.

The 108,000 sq. ft, seven-story Christopher and Margaret Condron Hall, which opened to students at the beginning of this academic year, creates a cluster of sophomore housing to replicate the close housing arrangement experienced by first-year residential students at Scranton.

“Condron Hall, along with Gavigan and Redington, unites the Class of 2011 by creating a neighborhood where the friendships forged during the first year at Scranton flourish even more,” said University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., at the dedication. “Not only is this hall re-defining the Scranton experience for the Class of 2011 and those who will come after them, it has dramatically re-shaped the skyline of the city – boldly soaring on Scranton’s landscape as you enter the city, while beautifully serving spectacular views of this great valley to our students and guests.”

The suite-style housing at Condron Hall, with four students living in two bedroom arrangements that share a bathroom, is consistent with the University’s other sophomore housing in Redington and Gavigan halls, which together provide 455 beds in neighboring buildings. Condron Hall also includes a multipurpose meeting room, shared kitchen spaces and shared multimedia lounges as well.

“Right now, we can only glimpse at what kind of long lasting effects Condron Hall will have on our campus and our community,” said Will Grogran, Mount Laurel, N.J, a resident of Condron Hall, who spoke on behalf of the students at the dedication ceremony. “But from my sixth floor window, I can see further than that. I see the city of Scranton sprawled out at our feet in the morning. I can see the sun set over those mountains after a long day. I can see generations of Scranton sophomores looking out those same windows. And, just as I do now, they will look out those windows and ready themselves to, in our Jesuit tradition, go forth and set the world on fire.”

Longtime friends and benefactors of Scranton, the Condrons serve as the national co-chairs of the largest capital campaign in the 120-year history of The University of Scranton, the $100 million Pride, Passion, Promise Campaign to transform the campus and secure its future.

At the dedication, Mr. Condron remarked how proud his father and grandfather would be of this day and of the building that bears the Condron name.

“They would be even more proud of the influence the university has had on this city,” said Mr. Condron. “The University of Scranton is a catalyst, turning the decline of the coal town into a vibrant, university city.”

Mr. Condron is president and chief executive officer of AXA Financial, Inc., a graduate of Scranton’s class of 1970, and a trustee. His wife, Margaret Condron, Ph.D., is an adjunct faculty member at Marymount Manhattan College and has also served as a University of Scranton trustee. She earned a doctorate in environmental studies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The founding chair of the university’s President’s Business Council, Mr. Condron was awarded the 2006 President’s Medal at the President’s Business Council’s annual award dinner. The event raised more than $1.5 million to endow full-tuition Presidential Scholarships at the university.

In September of last year, The University of Scranton broke ground for the building, designed by Burkavage Design Associates, Clarks Summit. The Quandel Group, Inc., Scranton, was the general contractor. The building opened to students on Aug. 24.
Condron Hall incorporates many environmentally friendly techniques, such as water- and energy-saving fixtures, the use of products produced within a 500-mile radius of the campus and green floor coverings.