Presbyterian College celebrates completion of new student housing
Presbyterian College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 7, to celebrate the completion of new student housing on PC’s campus.
The board of trustees, administrators, faculty and staff, financial partners, those who worked directly with the construction, as well as alumni and community guests, gathered at the fountain near Neville and Richardson halls for the ceremony. The event took place in front of the new buildings — just a few yards away from where shovels turned at the groundbreaking ceremony last fall.
“Today has been a long time coming,” said PC President Bob Staton ’68. “Today a long-discussed need of the college and a much-anticipated occurrence is becoming a reality as we cut the ribbon today on the new senior apartment-style housing on campus.
“It’s a great day to be at PC, and it could not have happened without a lot of people being involved over many, many years.”
The new student housing consists of three buildings located on Johnson Field behind Springs Student Center. There are a combined 36 residential units, which will house 144 students, primarily juniors and seniors, who will move in beginning this fall.
Each unit contains four single rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a common gathering space.
Madyson Glenn, a rising senior psychology major, will be one of the students moving into the new housing. Glenn has worked as a resident assistant and resident director in Smyth Hall, and said PC will be able to satisfy the demand of a younger generation with its new and renovated spaces.
“I am beyond excited to be among the first to live in these new apartments,” Glenn said. “It is an honor and privilege to experience my last year at Presbyterian College as a student from a space that is so conducive to not only ensuring my academic success but enabling me to gain the best experience possible in all aspects.”
The three buildings are developed with support from the PC Real Estate Foundation and a USDA Rural Development Community grant. Two of the buildings will be ready for August move-in. The third should be completed by early September.
Debbie Turbeville and Bill LaMotte, representatives with financial partners, USDA Rural Development and Synovus Bank, briefly spoke at the ceremony and thanked those involved in the project.
“Rural communities need a forward-focused agency that can assist local leaders with new and fresh solutions. Partnerships are essential to who we are,” said Turbeville, state director for USDA Rural Development of South Carolina.
“We are always happy with the work that we do in Laurens County. Again, to everyone who contributed to this project, thank you for everything you have done and will continue to do here in the (city) of Clinton.”
Jeffrey Reynolds, with H.G. Reynolds Co. Inc., recognized those part of the project’s completion as well, later noting as a 1979 graduate of PC, he was happy to be a part of opening the facility.
Board Chairman E.G. Lassiter ’69 shared remarks before inviting guests to tour Building A.
“I know that our students are very excited about moving into these units in just a few short weeks,” Lassiter said. “The heart of campus has certainly been enhanced by having this new housing project completed, and they will continue to add energy and vibrance to this important part of our campus.”
Fulfilling the Promise
The new student housing is part of renewed and refreshed campus facilities, a component of PC’s strategic plan, The Promise of PC. Learn more at presby.edu/promise.