Summit Classroom Building

What if walls could talk? What stories would they whisper about the Summit Classroom Building? This building, nestled on Summit Avenue, has witnessed a fascinating exchange of knowledge and purpose over the decades. The Summit Classroom Building wasn’t always called that. It began its life in 1958 as a solution to a shared problem. William Mitchell College of Law needed a home, and the College of St. Thomas needed classrooms. A deal was struck: William Mitchell would build on St. Thomas’s land, and St. Thomas could use the classrooms during the day. The Summit Classroom Building, then the William Mitchell College of Law building, opened its doors to students that fall. This arrangement thrived for nearly 20 years. By 1975, William Mitchell had outgrown the space. They relocated in 1976, leaving the building ripe for a new chapter. St. Thomas, with its own expanding programs, purchased the building in 1977. It was renamed McNeely Hall in 1981, honoring Adelaide and Harry McNeely Sr. The Graduate School of Business became its first St. Thomas tenant, remaining there for the next two decades. The Summit Classroom Building’s identity shifted again in 2006. With the opening of a new McNeely Hall, it took on its current name. The School of Social Work, along with Justice and Peace Studies, the Office of Sustainability, and English Language Services, found a home within its walls. And the story continues. The Summit Classroom Building is currently being remodeled to welcome the School of Nursing, adding yet another layer to its rich history. The Summit Classroom Building stands as a testament to collaboration and adaptability. It has served diverse needs and continues to evolve, a quiet observer of the flow of education and progress on Summit Avenue.