Grand Reopening of Academic Hall

Visitors take the stairs down to the third floor after viewing the inside of Academic Hall's dome, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the belly of Academic Hall's dome, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the belly of Academic Hall's dome, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Students, faculty and visitors mingle on the third floor of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the belly of Academic Hall's dome from the viewing room, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Sara Edgerton conducts the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Dr. Kenneth Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, delivers his opening remarks, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Brittany Graham sings the National Anthem, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in opening statements, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

From left, Bill Stacy, Glen Williams, Kala Stroup, Dr. Kenneth Dobbins, DoylePrivett, Kendra Neely-Martin, Jay Knudtson, Kevin Magnum, Daren Todd, Tom Meyer, Benny Dorris and David Russell cut the ribbon, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

From left, Bill Stacy, Glen Williams, Kala Stroup, Dr. Kenneth Dobbins, DoylePrivett, Kendra Neely-Martin, Jay Knudtson, Kevin Magnum, Daren Todd, Tom Meyer, Benny Dorris and David Russell cut the ribbon, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

From left, Daniela Grushevska, Brian Paul, Tim Rowbottom, Dennis McGrath, Angela Meyer, Carolyn Figliolio, Kathy Mangels, Matt Kiefner and John Schumer cut the second ribbon cut the ribbon, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)

Visitors take in the renovations of Academic Hall, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, during the grand reopening ceremony of Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. (Laura Simon)