“Today’s ribbon-cutting marks another milestone for Northern, as the university continues to make significant progress regarding its goals to provide students and faculty with top-caliber learning, teaching, and collaborating in spaces across campus,” said Dan Truckey, director of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center.

The building was originally opened in 1969, hosting the Lydia Olson Library and the WNMU radio and television stations. Over time, Harden Hall evolved to contain faculty offices, a computer lab / help desk, restaurants, distance learning classrooms and more.

“I was reading (NMU) President Harden’s vision to bring a wide array of resources together under one roof and that goes back a long way to the 1960s and I would say that was very much ahead of its time in terms of university planning and thoughtfulness about the wide array of ways we can support students,” said NMU President Chris Olsen.

Construction began in spring 2024, with renovations costing $32.7 million. The building reopened in January 2025.

The interior of the newly renovated Harden Hall.

“I’d like to recognize our design team partners, Neumann/Smith Architecture, AKA Architecture, OPN Architects and Peter Basso and Associates,” said Gavin Leach, executive vice president for Finance and Administration. “Many U.P. subcontractors worked on these projects; this facility and many others on campus. They do great work for us and they’re really critical in our communities.”

The newly renovated building contains the Honors Program, SISU institute, SHINE, Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, NMU Archives, all-campus tutoring centers and the Economics, History, Philosophy and Political Science departments.

“I speak for the board when I say that we are so pleased with how well this renovation has turned out and we thank all of those who are involved in creating this new space,” said Missie Holmquist, chair of the NMU Board of Trustees.

The Lydia Olson Library was a major site of renovations, with many physical books being moved off-site to make room for study rooms, conference rooms, and seating areas.

“Libraries have gone through a lot from the time when this building was built to primarily hold print, to where we are now,” said Dean of Library and Instructional Support Leslie Warren. “Our collection now is upstairs, about half of our print collection. (We have) about 125,000 volumes (on the shelves), with 125,000 in remote storage.”

Chris Olsen, NMU president, speaks at the Harden Hall rededication ceremony. (Journal photo by Annie Lippert)

In May, phase two of construction will begin, focused on transforming the basement

/first floor of Harden Hall into a student union-styled space. That phase is set to be completed in February of 2027.

“One of the most important things we’ve been able to do is we have created a host of areas for students that come here to study, to explore, to gather and to engage in the academic enterprise which is what we think of when we think of a university,” said Robb Winn, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “A sincere thank you to all those that made this academic hub a reality.”

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.