Dormitory to be Open Fall of 2007

Thursday, October 19, 2006, Greenville College broke ground on yet another housing facility. This 101-bed, traditional residence hall will open in time to house underclassmen in the Fall 2007 semester.

Full dorms have led college administrators to review future options for additional housing. In late July, the executive committee of the board of trustees approved an $8 million bond issue. The bond will provide $3.7 million for the construction of the new dormitory, $1.5 million for remodeling existing residences, and $2.8 million to refinance existing debt.

Located at the south end of Snyder parking lot, just behind the Snyder science building, the residence hall will feature individual heating and cooling in each room as well as data ports and wireless capabilities. The three floor structure will also include lounges on each floor, study areas on two upper levels, and a two-bedroom apartment with office for the dormitory’s coordinator of Residence Education.

Senior vice president for Advancement, David Hoag, discusses the implications of the college’s continued growth. “We are committed to a residential model,” said Hoag. “Our continual exponential growth has added the need for more housing.”

White Environmental Center Going Green 

For months Dr. William Ahern, head of the Biology department, and Dr. Hugh Siefken, former GC Physics professor, have gathered volunteers to construct the new White Environmental Center. Their environmentally friendly technology and planning have created a uniquely “green” study space for students.

Two levels will house three labs, two offices and the site’s bird and mammal study skin collection. Recycled bleacher benches from H.J. Long Gymnasium make up the center’s floors while geothermal heating and cooling systems and composting toilets give this green facility a technological edge.

School of Education Gets a New Home 

When Greenville College moved to a three-school system of academic governance last autumn, the preexisting undergraduate and graduate programs in Education were united under the School of Education. With this change came the opportunity to create a new education center, gathering these offices in one location.

When the college’s Music Department relocated to the Whitlock Music Center one and a half years ago, Greenville College decided to house the School of Education on the newly vacant first floor of the LaDue complex.

Several gifts from GC alums have made the renovations possible. Dr. Lewis Whaley ‘75 contributed $100,000 to the fund while Charles McPherson ’85 donated $200,000. These gifts cover extensive upgrades to the building’s ground level.

The new Education center will provide individual office space for faculty and staff as well as storage, a work/conference room, reception area, and handicap accessibility. Dr. Kenneth Schmidt, professor of Education, is excited about the new space. “As of last fall, the School of Education had about 600 majors including traditional, off-campus partnerships, and graduate programs,” said Schmidt. “We will continue to grow over the next few years, so this facility will help ease this expansion.”

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