In the Summer 2010 Davis & Elkins College was awarded the honor of hosting the Governor's School for the Arts beginning in the Summer of 2011 and two follow on summers. Having worked on several planning projects on Campus with the Mills Group President Smith engaged the firm to develop an Art's Master plan and ultimately focus on the renovations to the Hermanson Center.

The Hermanson Center has served many purposes over the years within the Elkins community and D&E College.  The Center was in desperate need of a facilities update to properly accommodate the vision of the Board of Directors.  One Board Member in particular, June Myles, had long standing roots in Elkins and had a desire to help both the community and College at the same time, saying, “I wanted to help promote the College because it is such an important part of the community.  The area is special to me and I wanted to try and give back.” Giving back is exactly what June did and in a big way. Through her generosity the capital was made available to renovate the Hermanson Center’s interior and reinvigorating the art department within the College.

The scope of the project included extensive interior architectural upgrades to the lower level with the creation of an art department consisting of office space, technology labs, and studio space in approximately 7000 sq ft. The work also included a total renovation of the auditorium lobby, the addition of large men's/women's restroom facilities, office space, and a retail center for the Augusta Center. The Firm also coordinated infrastructural upgrades such as a complete sprinkler system, new boiler and chiller system, and stage lighting and sound systems.

Mills Group was engaged to oversee the design and build of the project. The goal was to create a layout that would be practical in use, but also convey a sense of identity within the College. “The Mills Group also provided value engineering to extend the funding and make the project goals feasible. I worked very hands-on during the project and was pleased with the firms’ willingness to collaborate on the approach and design details. I am pleased with the results of the project and admire the balance between practical function and design aesthetics the Mills Group was able to capture.” – stated June Myles, College Trustee.

Assistant Professor of Art, Michael Doig, was involved in the process from the beginning. “Initially I would have been happy with a couple cans of paint, but June and the Mills Group took things to a completely different level. The space utilization of the design has created a fantastic space to work in for our students. I’m really excited about what this has done  for the program. The Mills Group has been fantastic.”