Keck Lecture Hall Reopens After Renovation
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) unveiled the newly renovated Keck Lecture Hall, a space that has served as a cornerstone for learning and community engagement since it first opened in 1987.
The project fulfills what Angela Minniefield, Senior Vice President of Advancement and Operations and Chief Operations Officer, described as a long-held dream to transform the hall into a space worthy of CDU’s students and community partners.
“It is used as a classroom for our students, it is used to engage the community for events—and the condition was sub-par,” she said. “I believed our students and our community partners who use the space deserved better.”
Keck Lecture Hall is used daily for classes and often for community gatherings, making its transformation especially meaningful.
The revitalized hall now seats 104, an increase from 80, and features new lighting, acoustic paneling to improve sound quality, new finishes, fresh paint, and new flooring throughout. Students and guests will also benefit from a state-of-the-art audio/visual system, a modern podium, and upgraded doors, ensuring the space is both technologically advanced and aesthetically inviting.
SVP Minniefield credits Moises Sierra, Facilities Manager, for his leadership in moving the renovation forward and Elisa Montano, Title III Manager, for helping secure funding.
The upgrades mean a more comfortable and effective space for students to learn, collaborate, and grow. For the University, the project reflects a commitment to providing facilities that match the caliber of its academic programs and community mission.
“It is my hope that the CDU family and our community partners will enjoy and take pride in the newly renovated space,” shared SVP Minniefield.
The Keck Lecture Hall renovation is part of a broader renaissance across CDU’s campus. Alongside the ongoing construction of the Health Professions Education Building (HPEB), these advancements are preparing the University for its 60th anniversary in 2026—marking both a celebration of its history and an investment in its future.