VSU Dedicated Newest Residence Hall

VALDOSTA- Valdosta State University’s newest residence hall was formally dedicated on June 24 by President Ronald M. Zaccari, representatives from the University System of Georgia, state legislators, university officials, students, and members of the community.

The evening reception marked another milestone in the university’s goal to provide additional on-campus housing for its growing student enrollment. VSU’s master plan strategically identified the need to increase on-campus housing to accommodate an expected enrollment of 16,000 by 2020.

“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 Rob Kellner, director of Auxiliary Services and campus project manager. “It provides suite-style housing, something that current students have been requesting and provides new recruiting options.”

The original facility, dedicated in November 1966, was named in honor of Annie Powe Hopper, who served as dean of women from 1923-1943. The two-story facility was constructed at a cost of $705,391 and housed 200 women. Forty-two years later, Valdosta State University proudly dedicated its newest residence hall that sits on the site of the former Hopper Hall. 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. The exterior facade is designed to complement the existing Spanish Mission architecture of the campus.

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. Sitting on just under 2.5 acres the replacement for Hopper Hall stands four stories high and the courtyard is framed by two towers that mark the entrance to the courtyard area and outdoor seating.

The Hopper Hall replacement is a community unto itself with food service, campus mailroom, office space, a classroom and other facilities within a 157,354 square-foot building. The new residence hall features a 188-seat Euro-style show kitchen, an open-market concept that provides a variety of dining options with easy access and convenience including an international Wok station, made to order omelets, specialty salads and daily premium entrée from the grill.

“The new dining facility provides customers with a unique eating experience and greatly expands on-campus dining options,” Kellner said. “Students and employees will enjoy the menu variety, convenience and flexibility of two dining halls in the main area of campus.”

For more information, contact Lynn Hortman, manager of marketing and public relations for VSU’s Auxiliary Services at 229-333-5706 or rlhortma@valdosta.edu.