University President Randy Lowry announced a few noteworthy campus-wide developments during yesterday’s annual President’s Convocation ceremony.
Following a welcome by Phil Ellenburg, general counsel of the university, and a devotional service led by Dr. Darwin Mason of the Schrader Lane Church of Christ, Dr. Beth Youngblood, executive associate dean and professor of nursing, gave the crowd the year’s academic charge, challenging all with a “call to excellence.”
Lowry soon followed, beginning his address with a moment of silence in honor of Matt Deery, the sophomore who died in a car accident in August.
Lowry also announced that 35 new faculty members have been added to the campus, as well as a record number of students for the semester – including records set for freshmen enrollment, as well as graduate students, nursing students, Yellow Ribbon students and National Merit scholars.
Outside of the new renovations to the Student Activities Center, McQuiddy gym and the Elam dormitory, Lowry announced future plans for further campus renovations that are set to begin in October.
A new health and sciences lab facility will be placed by the Hughes Center, new renovations will be made to the square (including the installation of the fountain/baptistery that the campus community has been talking about for months), and much to the delight of students – who went wild with applause after the announcement – the university will pave the way for 110 new parking spots.
The still unnamed nursing building is also set to open its doors at some point this fall. The high school football field will also have a new, NCAA-approved track.