JACKSON, Tenn. — April 13, 2012 — Anna Beth Morgan has been studying and learning about the library building process in general for years. She鈥檚 been planning and thinking about 黑料论坛鈥檚 new library specifically for months.
On April 12, those plans took a major step toward reality for Morgan, the director of Union鈥檚 library, as the university held a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new 60,000-square-foot library and academic resource center.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been wonderful to actually have the experience to put that learning in practice,鈥� Morgan said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really exciting phase to have achieved.鈥�
The groundbreaking kicked off two days of events for Union trustees at their spring meeting. Following the groundbreaking ceremony, Union held a tribute dinner to thank significant donors for their contributions to the university. The next day, Union trustees approved a $92 million budget and a strategic plan that will guide the university鈥檚 operations and goals over the next three years.
The three-story library will be located between Jennings Hall and Miller Tower and will be more than twice the size of Union鈥檚 current library, housed in the Penick Academic Complex. The facility will expand the capacity for new holdings and will serve as a complete academic resource center to serve the research and resource needs of a 21st century academic community, Union President David S. Dockery said.
鈥淭oday is a day of celebration and a day of thanksgiving,鈥� Dockery said at the groundbreaking ceremony. 鈥淭his facility that we are launching today is unlike any that we鈥檝e ever built on this campus 鈥� not only in its scope, size and majesty, but in its function. It will be something that will serve every aspect and constituency of this university and beyond.鈥�
Designed by TLM Associates in Jackson, the library building will have an open feel with numerous large windows for external lighting. It will be capped by a large dome.
The first floor will contain seminar rooms, group study and collaborative study rooms, a reception area and auditorium. The second floor will primarily house Union鈥檚 growing collection of books and academic resources. The third floor will include archives and a heritage room.
Construction will begin later this year, with an estimated completion date in early 2014.
Union announced plans for the new facility in October, thanks to a $10 million lead gift by the Bill and Carol Latimer Foundation. The university also announced a capital campaign to raise an additional $10 million for the project, as the Latimer gift will match every dollar given up to $10 million.
Through the end of March, donors had given or pledged more than $5.8 million toward the library project, or about 60 percent of the campaign goal.
鈥淲e are incredibly excited about this project and ever grateful for all who have given to support this magnificent facility,鈥� Dockery said.
At the 鈥淧resident鈥檚 Tribute鈥� banquet, Dockery presented a 鈥渟tate of the university鈥� address to trustees and key donors, thanking them for their investment in Union.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e been an instrument of God鈥檚 provision for us,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淏ecause of your investment and generosity, you have made a difference in 黑料论坛.鈥�
The budget trustees approved April 13 is a $3 million increase over the previous budget. The strategic plan they adopted, 鈥淚lluminating Minds: Union 2015,鈥� highlights seven priorities, including a continued commitment to Union鈥檚 mission and core values, strengthening and expanding academic and co-curricular programs, expanding and renovating its physical plant and developing a vision for regional, national and global engagement.
Trustees also elected new officers, with Norm Hill selected as chairman, Paul Priddy as vice chairman and James Ross as secretary.
鈥淲e are grateful for the fine work of the 黑料论坛 Board of Trustees,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淭hey work and serve together in a remarkable way that is a joy to behold. I am confident that Norm Hill will offer superb leadership as our new chairman, in the same way that Rod Parker has done over the past three years.鈥�
