'Breaking through to a new era at Sonoma State University'
Ceremonial 'wall breaking' marks kickoff of $25-million renovation of Nichols Hall for nursing programs
Nichols Hall is about to look a lot different.
Ceremonial sledgehammers in hand, Sonoma State University and CSU officials and elected leaders on Tuesday, September 29 smashed through a “wall” outside what will be Nichols’ new front door, revealing an artist’s rendering of how the building will look once a $25-million renovation is completed over the next two years.
The renovation and modernization of Nichols, a 50-year-old building named after Sonoma State’s founding president, Ambrose Nichols, will create a new home for SSU’s growing nursing and health sciences programs.
“Breaking through to a new era at Sonoma State University,” said SSU President Michael E. Spagna, raising his sledgehammer to the sky before taking a chunk out of the artificial wall created for the occasion.
Spagna and five others – SSU Interim Provost Stacey Bosick, Nursing Department Chair Krista Altaker, nursing student Emily White, CSU Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Gannoe, and Assemblymember Damon Connolly – took turns punching holes in the temporary wall until the artist’s rendering was completely visible
Before the wall smashing, members of that group, as well as 4th District Congressman Mike Thompson, spoke to a large crowd of SSU students, faculty, staff, and community members, each noting what an important step forward the Nichols project represents for the university.
“In short, this is what the Sonoma State Commitment looks like, right?” said Connolly, who along with other North Bay legislators – state Sens. Mike McGuire and Chris Cabaldon, and Assemblymember Chris Rogers – secured $45 million in 2025 to address Sonoma State’s budget challenges. $16 million of that total was earmarked for the nursing program.
“The modernization of this space will greatly expand the health sciences programs at Sonoma State, something the university already is doing,” Connolly said.
Thompson, whose wife, Janet, is a graduate of Sonoma State’s nurse practitioner program, praised university leadership – and nurses in particular – for their commitment, and stressed the importance of Sonoma State to the North Bay.
“This is an incredible institution of higher ed, a fantastic college, for just training great people who we see throughout our community, and elsewhere, doing good work,” he said.
Renovation of the three-story, 31,000-square-foot building will add modern simulation and skills laboratories designed to replicate hospital and clinical environments. The project also includes expanded lounge and study areas intended to support individual learning and collaboration.
Project design and construction are being managed by LPAS and Otto Construction, both of Sacramento.