Le Fer Hall

Le Fer Hall…Miles to Go! – $3,200,000

Home to Woods students since 1924, Le Fer Hall originally featured a floral shop and soda shop on the ground floor as well as a hair salon on each residential floor. The Sunken Garden was designed with an impressive water feature complete with fountains. Although the building has evolved and changed over time, Le Fer Hall remains a favorite of our students and alumni.

Today’s students love the historic look and feel of our campus, however, they need facilities that are suited to a more modern time, regardless of their age and style. Today’s students expect their residence hall room — their home-away-from-home — to be updated, comfortable and meet their academic needs.

Le Fer Hall, our Iron Lady, awaits the love from her alumni to bring her much-needed refresh to fruition.

With a lead gift of $1,00,000, the I Love Le Fer initiative of the Aspire Higher Campaign began in 2016. Publicly launched in 2018, the initiative has secured $2,000,000 in support. The College has accomplished much with these donor resources, but we have Miles to Go! An additional $3.2 million is needed to complete the remaining renovations as Le Fer Hall, our Iron Lady, awaits the love from her alumni to bring her much-needed refresh to fruition. Donors of $5,000 or more will be recognized for their gifts.

The stained-glass windows at the landing of the marble stairs were a gift of the Class of 1930. They stand as a testament to the great love of this building by alums and students alike. The student rooms in Le Fer Hall have a unique charm with high ceilings, hardwood floors, large closets and bathrooms in more than three-quarters of the rooms. However, important renovations and repairs are needed to make Le Fer Hall a more inviting and functional space for today’s students.

The Woods must be able to compete with other modern, upscale college living facilities as we seek to attract students in a highly competitive market.

Promises Kept – $2 Million

  • Complete refresh to community spaces on residential floors including carpet, LED lighting, freshly painted hallways, new furniture and technology enhancements — 5G, info billboards and printers
  • Kitchens fully renovated with new appliances, cabinets, counters, tile, paint, lighting and flooring
  • Food service prep-kitchen added with direct access to McMahon Ballroom
  • ADA compliant public restrooms on first floor adjacent to McMahon Ballroom
  • Sacred Heart Chapel more prominently located on first floor, bay window room of academic hallway
  • Renovation of Sullivan (Green) Parlor complete with LED lighting and restored original hardwood floors
  • Bathroom renovations are underway with the 2 North community bathroom complete and six suited/private student bathrooms in progress
  • North elevator shaft masonry repair
  • Tower windows replaced
  • Studio ’64 (former Sacred Heart Chapel location) added as flex space for student groups, yoga and much more
Le Fer updates_20210616_026

All who care about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College are asked to prayerfully consider their support of this project and what it means for today’s Woods experience, for our future and for our mission.

Are you inspired? We still have promises to keep and miles to go to accomplish our goal of renovating Le Fer Hall. With your help, we will reach and exceed each mile!

Miles to Go! – $3.2 Million

  • 82 Bathrooms need a complete renovation
    • 75 suited/private student bathrooms
    • 5 community bathrooms
    • 2 public restrooms on the ground floor
  • 730 windows will be replaced
  • Student rooms will have new hallway doors, plaster repair to walls and fresh paint
  • Three classrooms refreshed with new furniture, paint, carpet and window treatments
  • Stonework to secure the beautiful balconies and other masonry needs
  • Formal Parlor restored to its original grandeur with hardwood floors, upgraded electrical, painting and furniture
  • Upgraded lighting that enhances the historic chandeliers and pillars in McMahon Ballroom
  • Installation of a built-in sound system in McMahon Ballroom
  • Refreshing of green spaces and the Sunken Gardens
  • Painting and refreshing throughout