VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University presented its newest facility — its “campus living room” — to the community Tuesday.
Constructed at the intersection of Oak Street and Baytree Road, the $40-plus million Student Union officially opened its doors on Jan. 7.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony allowed those who participated in its development, construction and completion a peek at what students have enjoyed since the start of spring semester classes.
President Patrick Schloss touted the state-of-the-art Student Union as the gateway to the campus.
“This is a new area where students can congregate, and as relationships develop, it will help create bonds that last a lifetime,” he said. “It takes facilities like this to do that.”
Schloss thanked former Valdosta State University presidents Dr. Ronald Zaccari and Dr. Hugh Bailey for emphasizing student and facility development.
As an artist and a man with a vision, Zaccari laid the foundation that helped keep Bailey’s vision for the campus in focus, Schloss said.
The three-story, 113,000-square-foot Student Union stands where the old 35,000-square-foot Student Union and gymnasium once stood.
The Student Union has a 322-seat auditorium; a two-story university bookstore providing a tech shop, textbooks and university merchandise; the Union Station game room; various lounge areas; office space; a ball room; and three restaurants.
The Loop Pizza Grill, which called the old Student Union home, has returned to main campus. It can be found alongside Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Starbucks Coffee.
Valdosta State budgeted $43 million for the cost of the facility and is currently estimating that the Student Union will come in under budget, said Rob Kellner, director of auxiliary services.
State Senator Seth Harp (R-Midland), chairman of the Higher Education Committee, congratulated Valdosta State University on its progress as a state institution.
Based on talks with others around the country in regards to combating the recession and preserving education, Harp said one statement is repeated.
“Everyone says Georgia is doing it right,” he said. “You are building an educational workforce that will allow us to compete with the world.”
Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Kurt Keppler has been part of the Student Union’s development since its infancy.
Working with a group of Valdosta State students, Keppler said he began developing ideas for a new Student Union in early 2004.
The Student Union marks the eighth facility ribbon cutting in two years for Valdosta State University.
Local News
Related Photos
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The official ribbon is cut for the Valdosta State University Student Union Tuesday. Pictured, from left, are Russ Mast, dean of students; Bethanie Brogdon, director of the University Bookstore; Robin Vickery, director of Student Life and the Student Union; Jonathan Stroble, VSU graduate and former VSU Student Government Association president; Kelly Cody, Student Government Association president; Dr. Kurt Keppler, vice president of Student Affairs; VSU President Dr. Patrick Schloss; and Rodney Cruise, district manager for Sodexo.
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Valdosta State University President Dr. Patrick Schloss gives remarks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Student Union.
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Students, faculty, staff and guests gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Valdosta State University Student Union Tuesday.
Discussion
VSU’s ‘campus living room’
Completion of new Student Union celebrated
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