Nashville Voice
TSU President Glenda Glover helped break ground Wednesday for two new co-educational residence halls, the first of three groundbreakings taking place during the university’s annual homecoming week festivities.
Construction of the residence halls was initially announced last fall after the State Building Commission approved construction of the $75.3 million project.
“We break ground this morning for student residence life,” said Glover at a ceremony before the groundbreaking. “We break this ground for student success. And we break this ground because it is altogether fitting and proper for upgrading student life on the campus of Tennessee State University.”
Wednesday’s groundbreaking, the first for a new residence hall at TSU since 1995, took place on the lawn of the Strange Performing Arts Building. The groundbreaking for a Health Sciences Building is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in the Hankal Hall courtyard. Also, a groundbreaking for an Alumni Welcome Center will take place around 1:30 p.m. the same day at the corner of 31st and John Merritt Blvd.
Tracy Ford, vice president for student affairs at TSU, said the groundbreaking for the residence halls and the other planned construction is indeed “reason to celebrate.”
“Today doesn’t just mark the groundbreaking of a physical structure, but it shines a light on the amazing future of TSU
Braxton Simpson, student representative on the TSU Board of Trustees, expressed
“This is a very exciting moment for all of the students here at Tennessee State University,” she said.
Besides TSU’s faculty and staff, Wednesday’s groundbreaking was also attended by local and state officials.
“This is a wonderful day,” said State Sen. Thelma Harper, a TSU alumna. “TSU is No. 1!”
State Rep. Harold Love Jr., a TSU graduate, lauded Dr. Glover and “all those involved in the intricacies of getting this done.”
“Residence halls represent a university’s commitment to student success just as much as other educational buildings,” Love said. “Tennessee State continues to invest in facilities to increase the opportunities for students to find a home away from home.”
