Steel reaches skyward at Student Center site
Even as William Carey University hosted a long-awaited ribbon-cutting for new Tatum Court on July 18, construction had already begun on the next building project – a Student Center on the site of old Tatum Court, which was demolished after a January 2017 tornado.
Workers for the general contractor, Hanco Corporation, are overseeing the laying of pipe and placement of the structure's first steel supports. The three-story gathering place for students is scheduled to open in fall 2020.
“We are thankful to complete our tornado recovery building projects and return to long-range plans for expansions to accommodate our growth. We need more space and this Student Center is part of that plan,” said WCU President Dr. Tommy King.
Since Dr. King became president in 2007, WCU’s enrollment has doubled, from 2,500 to 5,000. During the same time, the number of residential students in Hattiesburg has increased from 240 to 800 and six brand-now dorms have been opened.
Here’s a look at some of the Student Center’s features:
1st Floor:- Large activity/event space with catering kitchen
- Baptist Student Union meeting space, offices and workroom
- Information Technology offices and storage
2nd Floor:- Large student recreation center
- Diner/Grill
- Large, partially covered patio
- Student lounge
- Commuter student lounge
- International student lounge
3rd Floor:- Large business center
- Computer lab
- Group study rooms
- Student Services offices, conference room and workroom
- Resident Life offices and workroom
