VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University’s newest residence hall was formally dedicated Tuesday, as President Ronald M. Zaccari was joined in a ribbon cutting ceremony by representatives from the University System of Georgia, state legislators, university officials, students and members of the community.
The new four-story facility holds quite a presence on campus, standing four stories high in the center of a courtyard, framed by two towers. And completed in the same Spanish Mission theme of the campus, with lighted outdoor seating and landscaping, Hopper Hall is sure to be a meeting place of students and university visitors alike.
Inside the 157,354-square-foot building, which sits on just under 2.5 acres, the facility offers a number of modern amenities designed to fit the contemporary student.
“The new facility bears little resemblance to the previous structure and boasts 513 beds in suite-style rooms that offers today’s contemporary students a leading-edge living and learning environment,” said President Ronald Zaccari.
In addition to its suite-style rooms, the facility also offers an 188-seat Euro-style show kitchen, campus mailroom, office space, as well as classroom stations and other facilities.
“The student really does not have to leave this facility to get his/her education,” said Rob Kellner, director of Auxiliary Services.
The project is funded through a public venture within VSU’s Auxiliary Services Real Estate Foundation, Inc. Construction of the $21.9 million building was performed by Juneau Construction under the direction of the Ambling University Development Group beginning fall 2007.
Springing up during a season of renewal and growth, lead by Zaccari over the past six years, Hopper Hall is only one of many capital projects which mark a milestone along the path toward reaching the university vision.
“The Hopper Hall replacement is the first of eight projects scheduled to be completed within the next two years, representing an excess of $150 million in capital construction,” said Kellner.
In 2002, VSU’s master plan strategically identified the need to increase on-campus housing to accommodate an expected enrollment of 16,000 by 2020. Since then, Zaccari, who will retire at the end of this month, has been working to prepare the university for that day.
In honor of Zaccari’s efforts during his tenure to see the invisible, and partnering efforts to bring those visions to pass, Juneau Construction and the Ambling Company honored the leader through an appreciation endowment, by establishing the Ronald M. Zaccari Presidential Lecture Series.
“Our gift is primarily to honor the legacy of Dr. Zaccari and his great vision and thank him for the professional courtesy we have been extended during our time on campus,” said Les Juneau, President of Juneau Construction.
The goal is grow the endowment to a minimum of $250,000, which will allow interest earned annually to support expenses associated with hosting guest speakers. Currently the endowment contains more than $125,000 in gifts and pledges, including many individual contributions.
Although Tuesday’s ceremony was Zaccari’s last while serving as president of the university, he looks forward to continuing his relationship with the college through the lecture series and other university events.
“I am honored that the Presidential Lecture Series will continue to grow and provide a venue for scholars, artists and scientists to engage in the teaching and learning process at Valdosta State University,” Zaccari said.
“And I look forward to attending all the lectures in this series.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Ambling University Development Group President Charles Perry (left) and Juneau Construction Company president Les Juneau (right) present Valdosta State University President Ronald M. Zaccari with a special display commemorating the Ronald M. Zaccari Presidential Lecture Series before a the ribbon cutting ceremony of the replacement of Hopper Hall Tuesday evening.
-
SGA president Jonathan Stroble, Valdosta State University president Dr. Ronald M. Zaccari, Residence Hall Association president Nontalie Morrow, Auxiliary Services director Robert Kellner, VSU housing director Dr. Tom Hardy, Ambling University Development Group president Charles Perry, Juneau Construction Company president Les Juneau and Allan Dear during the ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday evening.
Discussion
Hopper Hall dedicated
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park in Limbo
LAKE PARK — Lake Park citizens will have to wait several months before being able to attend another City Council meeting following Tuesday’s resignation of two council members.
Deb Cox, Lowndes County elections supervisor, said Georgia state law dictates that another special election cannot be held until July 31. -
Colo. court says fugitive sibling has plea deal
WALSENBURG, Colo. — One of the three Dougherty siblings accused in a multi-state crime spree, including a Valdosta bank robbery, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors, a spokesman for the Colorado court system said Wednesday.
-
Airport Authority tours True Flight Aerospace Plant
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority toured the True Flight Aerospace Plant after their meeting Wednesday morning. True Flight President and CEO, Kevin Lancaster, lead the tour through the facility which is located in the largest hanger at the Valdosta Regional Airport. -
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Lake Park in Limbo
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
