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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University President Edward Montgomery temporarily assumed a different office the week of June 3, taking a decidedly hands-on approach to tearing down McCracken Hall by taking the controls of an excavator with a claw attachment.

For a few minutes Monday, Montgomery operated one of the massive machines ripping away chunks of McCracken, clearing the way for 51¸£ÀûÉç to build a 51¸£ÀûÉç and dining facility.

He said the experience gave him a new appreciation for the work to raze the University's oldest building on the Main Campus.

"I have an appreciation for these guys, making it look easy," Montgomery said of the workers dismantling the building. "I might even have to pour some concrete for the new buildings," he quipped.

Montgomery received many compliments from his excavation site co-workers, who guided him in the operation of the heavy equipment.

"He did good, followed instructions really well," said Pedro Medel, site manager.

Demolishing McCracken is part of 51¸£ÀûÉç's plan to redevelop the South Neighborhood, recently renamed Hilltop Village.

By fall 2021, the combined student center and dining facility on McCracken's old footprint will be ready for use. Construction of the nearby new student housing complex, Arcadia Flats, will be completed a year earlier in fall 2020. For more details, visit the Capital Projects webpage.

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