Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for New Academic Building

Meredith College hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on April 30, 2021, for the campus community to celebrate the construction of the new academic building that will house instructional space for the growing communication and exercise and sports science programs, and athletic offices. 

“The classroom, lab, and office space in this new building speak to the growth in key areas of Meredith’s offerings: Exercise & Sports Science, Communication, and Athletics,” said President Jo Allen. “We are eager to have students learning in a high quality environment replete with the kind of equipment they will need on the job. Equally important is that these fields and activities are keenly connected to the ways our world is changing and preparing our students for that world.”

The building, adjacent to Weatherspoon Gymnasium and the Lowery Fitness Center, will be 13,636 square feet and will include a state of the art recording studio, a podcast room, three editing rooms, two spacious exercise and sports science working classrooms, a collaboration room, and additional classrooms.  

Faculty are eager to teach in these specialized spaces. 

“Our faculty and staff are innovative change agents in each of these areas, and we are excited that their own growth escalates with expanded options for teaching and research. Our students are the largest benefactors of strong relationships with faculty and staff, and we can’t wait to see what they pursue in this space,” said Allen. 

The new building will allow both programs to increase the number of students served. Since 2011, enrollment in Meredith’s undergraduate communication and exercise and sports science programs has increased by 29% and 52% respectively.

“The new health and human performance lab and communications studio and editing bays represents the perfect learning environment for students in the field of kinesiology and health sciences and communication,” said Marie Chamblee, dean of the school of education, health and human sciences. “We have built a curriculum based on knowledge and meaningful experiences. Now we have the opportunity to provide our students a facility to demonstrate the best research and professional practice to allow our students to open any door they choose and to forge their own pathways as professionals.”

The building will be fully accessible and will have energy-saving features such as LED lighting and a special roof that will reduce building cooling needs. To add to the beauty of the building, a lobby will have a water feature and fireplace.  There will also be patios on the front and side of the building. 

The building also includes 18 offices for department heads in communication and exercise and sports science, and athletic staff. 

Watch a virtual walk through of the planned building.

Meredith College has selected Design Development Architects for the design of the College’s new academic building project. Inland Construction headquartered in Garner, N.C., is the general contractor.

Construction on the new building is expected to be completed during the 2021-22 academic year.

Learn more about Meredith’s communication, exercise and sports science,  hospitality management, and Meredith Athletics.