Newberry College Breaks Ground for New Residence Hall

Newberry College today broke ground on a new residence hall. Construction on the $3.8 million student residence is expected to get underway in June 2017 and is slated to be ready for occupancy for the start of fall semester in August 2018.

The new building will be adjacent to Walker Hall, a student residence constructed in 2006 on the corner of Luther Street and Wolves Way. The 22,866-square foot residence hall will be home to 76 students and three resident advisors.

“The new residence hall is a welcome addition to the campus housing options available to our students,” said Newberry College President Dr. Maurice Scherrens. “Construction of the new residence hall is a crucial step forward in fulfilling our campus housing master plan.”

Construction of the new residence hall comes in response to institutional growth that has stretched campus housing to capacity. The project is an essential first step toward more sweeping overall improvements and upgrades in campus housing.

“With the combined effects of enrollment growth and retention increases, housing demands will soon exceed our current capacity,” said Dr. Sandra Rouse, Dean of Students. “We have implemented short-term solutions to help us manage, but the 76 new beds provided by the new residence hall will go a long way toward accommodating current and future growth.”

The new residence hall will be a three-story brick and cement panel building that is consistent with the style and beauty of the existing buildings. It will accommodate 79 students across 14 living units. It will feature suite-style, double-occupancy rooms arranged in pods of four, six or eight people with a shared living room, bathroom and efficiency kitchen. Multiple covered common areas and entrances will provide residents with opportunities to study and interact in between classes.

Over the course of this summer the College will invest an additional $800,000 in cosmetic improvements and infrastructure upgrades to four existing residence halls: Derrick Hall, Cromer Hall, Kinard Hall and Smeltzer Hall.  

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, a regional, studio-based architecture, planning and interior design firm, led the design efforts for Newberry’s residence hall. Triangle Construction Co., a Greenville-based builder serving the region for 70 years, will lead the construction phase. Interim construction financing is being provided by First Reliance Bank, a community-focused lender with locations throughout South Carolina. USDA Rural Development, a federal agency offering loans, grants and loan guarantees to support economic development in rural America, will serve as the permanent lender.

“USDA Rural Development in South Carolina is focused on strengthening our rural communities.” Said Acting State Director Michele J. Cardwell. “Providing safe, comfortable and affordable living and educational facilities are essential components of the economic well-being of our rural citizens.”

Participants in the groundbreaking ceremony included:

Hugo A. (Hap) Pearce – Chair, Newberry College Board of Trustees
Dr. Maurice W. Scherrens – President, Newberry College
Robert James – Chair, Ad-Hoc Housing Committee of Board of Trustees
Dr. Sandra Rouse – Dean of Students
Benjamin Herring – Incoming President, Student Government Association
Tim Ellis – Program Manager, USDA Rural Development
Melanie Anderson – Project Designer, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
Bryant Nixon – Executive Vice President, Triangle Construction Co.
Richard McIntyre – Market President-Lexington, First Reliance Bank

After the opening greeting by Hap Pearce, Campus Pastor Ernie Worman led the invocation. Dr. Sandra Rouse, Dean of Students, spoke on behalf of Student Affairs, followed by the student response from SGA incoming president Ben Herring. Program Manager Tim Ellis provided remarks on behalf of USDA Rural Development. With the ceremonial turning of the soil complete, President Scherrens gave the closing remarks.