Kaitlyn Hughes | features editor

Duquesne’s Rev. Sean Hogan Dining Center will undergo an extensive interior renovation after not receiving large-scope changes since 2012.

The project is still in the early planning stages, but renovations will take place in summer 2026 and include updates to lighting, flooring, seating and overall flow of the space, according to Vice President of Student Life Leanna Fenneberg. Extended hours are also being discussed.

“We seek renovations that will enhance the overall dining experience for students and provide spaces that positively contribute to the overall student experience and sense of community,” Fenneberg said in an email to The Duke.

The renovations completed in 2023 were mostly cosmetic and included window installation, said Gregory Fuhrman, the lead project manager on the renovation. The upcoming project will be more extensive.

Since the renovations are in the preliminary phase, the ideas and concepts currently being discussed are all subject to change, Fuhrman said.

“There will be future, more detailed communications to the wider campus community once the project design is further along,” he said in an email to The Duke.

Darrin Badon, an architect from Tipton Associates, the architecture firm working on the renovations, came to campus to conduct several student engagement sessions on March 25-26. The firm has worked with 180 different college campuses on projects related to housing, dining services, laboratories and more.

During the engagement sessions, the firm was able to build an understanding of the campus’ desire for the dining facility appearance, seating arrangement and improvements that could be made. Picture boards were set up last week in Hogan depicting several options for what the renovations could potentially look like, allowing students to vote on their favorite images of the restored dining hall. The feedback will be considered throughout the planning process.

Being able to collaborate with students, helps produce the best result, Badon said. Several people he met with, including the Rev. Father Sean Hogan, advocated for the needs of the student body.

“Some campuses don’t have student input, which is disappointing,” he said.

Newly elected Student Government Association (SGA) President Nick Miller was able to meet with an architect to discuss the study body’s wishes pertaining to Hogan.

“I think the one concern that people have the most is the time that Hogan is open,” he said.

Miller said he knows a lot of people who want the dining hall to be open later on weekdays and open earlier on the weekend.

Although Miller has not heard any complaints of the food, he said there could be changes made in this area.

During the meeting Miller was able to pitch ideas, so he suggested that Hogan incorporate a smoothie bar that students could operate on their own. Along with added food options, Miller proposed brighter lighting, more booths and a breakfast bar for those who enjoy eating alone.

“I think that having a more comfortable space to eat at changes everything,” he said.

If the student body has any ideas or concerns related to Hogan they can communicate with the SGA, so those involved in the project can be made aware of the students’ needs, Miller said.

“SGA has a role in voicing the concerns of this,” he said.

Save for a few complaints, students are content with how the dining hall currently is.

Freshman nursing major Rachel Bowman comes to Hogan three to four times a week. Since most of her classes are on the other side of campus, she will go to the Incline or Chick-fil-a located in the Student Union.

Bowman said she wishes for later operating hours. Bowman will go to the gym at night, and when she comes back, Hogan is closed. Beyond that, she was fine with the current state of the facility.

“I feel like it’s pretty good as far as a dining hall goes,” Bowman said.

Freshman music performance major Nathanial Parsons goes to Hogan twice a day for the salad bar. He said the picture boards that were recently available for students to view had traits of a “hospital chic” aesthetic.

Parsons said that Hogan is currently too big, and he wishes the food were more centralized.

“If a drink machine is broken it feels like I’m going across the continent to go to the other one,” he said.

In addition to physical changes, the goal is to make Hogan a place where students can connect, according to Anne LaHoda, assistant vice president of student housing and residence life.

“This renovation will make Hogan brighter, easier to navigate, and welcoming to all students, staff, facility, families and guests,” LaHoda said in an email to The Duke.

A dining hall is a place for students to form relationships with one another and “break bread,” Badon said. This aspect will influence the future designs.

“I am a firm believer that architecture can make environments better,” he said.

Kaitlyn Hughes can be reached at hughesk10@duq.edu.