Historic Nebraska Hall Reopens as Modern Gateway on Milford Campus
Southeast Community College celebrated the completion of the renovation of Nebraska Hall with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 5. The historic building, which has served the Milford community for over a century, will now be the front door to the SCC Milford Campus.
Originally constructed in 1921 as a hospital, Nebraska Hall holds the distinction of being the oldest structure on the Milford Campus. The building's remarkable journey through time reflects the evolving needs of the community it serves from its early days as a medical facility to its years as student housing, and now as a centralized student services hub for academic support.
"No other building on campus embodies our institutional values of service, perseverance and transformation quite like Nebraska Hall,” said Jon Kisby, SCC associate vice president, Milford Campus. “When Nebraska State Senator Stanley Matzke introduced legislative bill 148 in 1941 to create the state’s first trade school on this site, he launched what would become America’s first residential vocational college. That forward looking spirit continues today as we preserve this architectural treasure.”
The renovation project carefully balances historic preservation with contemporary functionality. The design honors the building's original neoclassical revival architecture, incorporating similar design elements in the new northern extension while maintaining interior aesthetics that evoke the building's storied past. The thoughtful approach ensures that Nebraska Hall's historic charm remains intact while meeting the needs of today's students.
“We sought out a way to reimagine how we create a vibrant campus community while honoring the remarkable history of the Milford Campus,” said Dr. Paul Illich, SCC president. “This building will directly benefit every student who walks through our doors, providing them with a welcoming front entrance and one-stop access to student success.”
The transformed Nebraska Hall will create an environment where learning and campus life intersect, featuring:
- Consolidated administrative offices for streamlined student services
- Comprehensive academic support services
- Modern study and collaboration spaces
- State-of-the-art computer laboratory
- Campus coffee shop for student collaboration and networking
- Extended northern wing seamlessly integrated with the historic structure
The Nebraska Hall renovation project was spearheaded by Ed Koster, former vice president
of research, planning and technology and Milford campus director; Michelle Birkel,
SCC Foundation director; and Rick Blessen, director of advancement. They worked with
Sinclair Hille to design and complete the project.
Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
Southeast Community College
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu