Silent and empty until early August, Alumni Hall became a bustling and dedicated COVID-19 testing center—one that’s integral to the prevention of outbreaks on campus this semester.

The center began conducting on-boarding, or entry, tests for students, faculty and staff in August. In partnership with the Harvard- and MIT-affiliated Broad Institute, the center’s staff paved the way for a successful opening of classes on August 24 by conducting just under 3,300 tests.

Frequent Testing

Once classes got under way, the center switched to asymptomatic surveillance testing of students, staff, faculty and affiliates throughout the semester.

Every week, around 3,000 anterior nasal swab tests are conducted and sent to the Clinical Research Sequencing Platform, a clinical laboratory at the Cambridge-based Broad Institute.

All community members who come to campus are required to test weekly. Those involved in higher engagement activities like team sports and chorus are required to test twice a week.

Community members usually receive their results within 24 hours.

Team Building

“Swift and regular testing is critical to ensuring the health and safety of our community. It also allows us to isolate promptly those who test positive,” says Monique Avila, M.S.N., FNP-C, who co-directs the testing center with Doreen Vovcsko, RN, B.S.N.

Avila and Vovcsko established a process, designed safety and hygiene protocols, obtained supplies and prepared Alumni Hall, an Ames era building, for a steady flow of daily test takers.

“Many on Monique and Doreen’s team began work on the day they were hired, but they hit the ground running. When we transitioned to weekly testing, colleagues from Athletics joined us, and together they have formed a really dedicated, effective professional team that has risen to the occasion,” says Thomas Flynn ’93, vice president and general counsel, who oversaw the creation of the testing center.

In August, Alumni Hall became the testing center.

Medical assistant Janni Encarnacion shows a testing kit.

Wealth of Experience

The task of creating a fully operational testing center on campus saw many people take on new roles for the College.

While Athletics staff continues to handle coaching, recruiting and team support duties, with the postponement of NCAA competition, they were able to answer the call to help ensure that students and staff could easily get through the testing process. The testing center adopted Ace the Skyhawk and the motto “Protect the Nest.”

In addition to Avila, Vovcsko and Athletics staff, the testing center team is also comprised of current staff members and a diverse group of nurses, EMTs, medical assistants and administrative assistants, including young alumni. Combined, they bring a wealth of experience to the College.

For more information on the College’s COVID-19 efforts, visit stonehill.edu/covid19.

Alumni Hall Through the Years

1905

The building now known as Alumni Hall was built by Frederick Lothrop Ames as an adjacent gym to the main Georgian country house (Donahue Hall). It was designed with an indoor heated swimming pool and clay tennis court for the Ames family.

1948

Science labs were held in what was called the Ames Gym during Stonehill’s first semester as a college. The building also served as a recreation center, auditorium and meeting place for students.

1950s

The Speech Arts Society often performed here. In 1952, Stonehill’s first Commencement ceremony was held in this building. That same year, the pool was covered in order to create bathrooms for the College’s first women students.

1960s

The “old gym,” as it was known, hosted retreats and housed the College’s infirmary. In 1966, the Veteran’s Club held a blood drive in this building for the injured soldiers of the Vietnam War. Other clubs used the student lounge for meetings.

1970s-80s

Officially named the Charles Watt Intramural Gymnasium, the building held graduation rehearsals, movie nights and, later, recreational sports.

1990s

The building was renovated as the Academic Conference Center. Home to the Office of Alumni Affairs and used for events, it was formally dedicated as Alumni Hall in 1992. It is the only building named for a group of people.

2000s

The Office of Alumni Affairs, now the Office of Alumni Engagement, moved to the refurbished Merkert-Tracy Building in 2010. Alumni Hall has continued to be used for activities and events, including class receptions during Reunion.

2020

Alumni Hall became the location of the COVID-19 testing center. Temperature and symptom checks occur at the entrance. Registration is located in the main lobby. Tests are then conducted at five stations in the auditorium.