The
campus of North Carolina A&T is continuously growing and it is
evident through the opening of a new academic building.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>The campus of North
Carolina A&T is continuously growing and it is evident through
the opening of a new academic building.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Dozens of individuals
gathered in front of the New Academic building Sept. 15 for the
ribbon-cutting of this 88,000 square-foot facility.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>“A&T has always been
a place for first-timers and big-timers,” said Patricia Zollar,
Board of Trustees vice chairwoman, in her greeting while explaining
the areas that are housed in the building.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>This new building will
house the university’s Center for Academic Excellence, the Office
of International Programs and the Honors Program.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Representatives of
A&T, such as SGA President Christian Robinson and Chancellor
Harold Martin, welcomed the intimate audience to the outdoor
occasion and shared words of gratitude.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>The Honors Program is
located on the building’s main floor, the Office of International
Programs can be found on the second floor, and the Center of
Academic Excellence is on the third floor.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Chancellor Martin said
that ,“with the alignment of some of the most important student
support programs on this campus, this environment creates a place
that is the hub for, in my mind, student success on this campus in
the freshmen and sophomore years.”
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Tameka Alston, a senior
graphic communications student, said, “I love the building. I love
the ceilings, the open floor plan; I just love everything about it,
the stairways, the lighting, all of the aspects.”
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Kevin Turner, from the
architecture firm The Freelon Group and designer for the project,
explained that, “right from the first day we were looking to make
this building as comfortable and energy-efficient as we could, and
then we selected materials in the building that are environmentally
sustainable.”
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Noting the “green”
aspects of the space, Alston also said, “I was very impressed,
especially learning you can grow greenery and trees and things on
the rooftop.”
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>“This is an exciting
building,” said program manager for construction Mason
Kenyon. “Honestly, you can see the different shapes
in the building. It’s a tough building to build and I give it to
Freelon, they designed a very beautiful space. But as far as the
construct ability, it’s a tough building”
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Joseph Daniels, a junior
and a member of the Honors Program, said, “I am proud to be an
Aggie seeing all of this growth. It symbolizes that A&T has not
become stagnant so it continues to grow and as we continue to grow
and be better then the future for tomorrow is going to be a lot
brighter for us.”
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Dr. Tracey Ford,
director of the Center of Academic Excellence, said, “It feels like
this is our building. I get to manage our building and that is the
wonderful part about it because what we’re really looking for is a
collaboration with our students our faculty and staff so that this
is the place where all of us can thrive.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Where teachers can be
better teachers and students can be better learners.”
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>The Assistant Vice
Chancellor of Facilities, Andrew M. Perkins, Jr., is responsible
for all construction on campus and has been for the past 11
years.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>“I’m very pleased I was
able to lend my minor expertise,” Perkins said.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Perkins worked with all
parties in the project, from designers to construction contractors.
He said it was “extremely important for our University that we can
show that we do attract the best and brightest.”
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>Churchill Banks III, the
project architect said, “I want the students to come here and use
this as a tool to get to the next level. Similar to what all of the
speakers said today, it is an extension of your tool
belt.
“line-height: 120%; font-family: Calibri;”>I mean a carpenter is
only as good as his tools and this building will be
that.”
- Courtney Jackson Contributor