SWU breaks ground on living and learning community
Southern Wesleyan University broke ground Aug. 30 on a new 243-bed residence hall to be constructed on its Central Campus. Breaking ground, from left, are Jonathan Catron, SWU physical plant director; Ben Hochhalter, SWU Student Government Association president; Phillip Mishoe, Central town administrator; Sue Rickman, SWU trustee and SWU Alumni Board member; Joel Davis, J. Davis Construction; Dr. Todd Voss, university president; Justin Farris, managing director, Mainstreet Student Living; Dr. Charles Joiner, SWU trustee chairman; Rep. Brian White, Anderson District 6; Trey Whitehurst, Pickens County councilman; Morgan Haney, a SWU sport management major and resident assistant; Dr. Joe Brockinton, SWU vice president for student life; and Kevin Scully, architect, Design Collaborative Architects and Engineers.
Southern Wesleyan University officials broke ground Aug. 30 on a new four-story living and learning community to be constructed along Wesleyan Drive on the Central campus.
More than just a place for students to sleep, the new residence hall represents for President Todd Voss a dream come true that’s been 30 years in the making. Dr. Voss, who has overseen several residence hall projects at various universities where he has served, had a vision for a living and learning community that would provide an inviting environment for nurturing relationships, spiritual growth and academic success.
“This new concept will rock this state and make such a difference in the lives of our students at Southern Wesleyan,” Voss said. “I believe that this is the kind of building that will increase student satisfaction, student retention and student involvement in deep and meaningful ways.”
Dr. Joe Brockinton, vice president for student life, said “The new residence hall will bring energy, excitement and it’s also going to provide outstanding amenities and community spirit.”
Dr. Charles Joiner, chairman of Southern Wesleyan’s board of trustees, said that the new residence hall represents a partnership that “will not only change this institution for the better; it will give this institution life for growth in the future that we never would have had otherwise.”
In addition to single, dual and triple occupancy suites for 243 students, the 67,000 square foot residence hall will include 17,000 square feet of space devoted to amenities, including a large lobby with a bistro and ample gathering space, a classroom, fitness rooms, a theatre and a conference room. Also included will be laundry facilities, study a large balcony deck, a park-like courtyard and a large parking lot.
Southern Wesleyan is partnering with Mainstreet Student Living of Carmel, Ind., for this new project development. Mainstreet® encompasses the investment, development and management sides of student housing. Mainstreet Student Living representatives were present for the groundbreaking, as were the building’s architect, Kevin Scully of Design Collaborative Architects and Engineers, and Joel Davis of J. Davis Construction, the builder.
Justin Farris, managing director of Mainstreet Student Living, said “We started in the healthcare industry and then moved that mission into student housing. What better place to transform lives than here at Southern Wesleyan University? It’s not just about the physical student room, it’s about the community space and enticing students to get together to collaborate and socialize with one another.”
Southern Wesleyan seeks to continually reinforce three pillars of uniqueness – inventive learning, faith-filled community and contagious generosity. This new facility on SWU’s campus will be conducive in exercising these institutional characteristics.
The project, which represents a $9.3 million investment, will create numerous jobs and expand Pickens County’s economic impact footprint.
Dr. Lisa McWherter, Southern Wesleyan’s vice president for advancement, recognized elected officials and their representatives at the city, county, state and national level who were present at the groundbreaking, praising them for their spirit of partnership.
Sen. Larry Martin of Pickens said “It will mean a lot to Pickens County as this university continues to grow and prosper and particularly with your emphasis on faith and in the Lord and on all it means to us as individuals.”
“I think that this new residence hall is going to be a game changer for Southern Wesleyan University,” said Rep. Gary Clary of Pickens District 3. Rep. Brian White of Anderson District 6 said, “I’m glad Southern Wesleyan was not afraid to take that leap of faith to do what God has called us to do. Whether it’s politics or just on the street where we go, it’s missing – the respect, the core values of giving back – that’s what you are teaching here.”
“I appreciate Dr. Voss’ vision. He’s taken that vision and reached out to the community and gotten everybody on board. I feel like it’s the beginning of a great long ride. We’re having a great time going along with it,” said Pickens County Councilman Trey Whitehurst.
“This really comes down to ‘being for the students.’ You’ve got to sell it to the students. You’ve got to sell it to mom and dad,” said Phillip Mishoe, Central town administrator.
Also on hand were representatives from U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s office and U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan’s office.
For student Morgan Haney, a sport management major, resident assistant and student-athlete who took part in the groundbreaking, Southern Wesleyan has been transformative.
“If it wasn’t for the community, I wouldn’t have been able to experience God’s love through other people, which I really needed. I thought I would just come here as an athlete but I found so much more throughout the residence halls and the students and faculty.”
“Now it’s time to build our future students’ ‘exciting, responsibility and discipline-forming, relationship building and spiritual growth developing home away from home.’ And from the bottom of our hearts, from all of us students, we thank all of you who’ve had a tremendous impact in this thing becoming a reality,” said Ben Hochhalter, president of Southern Wesleyan’s Student Government Association.
SWU expects to welcome student residents into this completed facility in August of 2017.
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.
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