A major new hub for student life is taking shape at South Carolina State University, where officials on Saturday broke ground on a $20 million expansion of the student center designed to enhance the campus experience for current and future Bulldogs.
“We’ve waited a long time for this,” said Dr. Tamara Jeffries, SC State vice president for student affairs. “The student center is the space that sits at the heart of student leadership. This moment represents more than construction. It reflects our deep commitment to strengthening the student experience.
“The student center is where connections are made, leadership is cultivated and community is strengthened,” she said.
The expansion of the Kirkland W. Green Student Center is a state-funded $20 million project that will add 44,000 square feet to the current center, bringing the center’s total square footage to 78,000 square feet.
The design includes:
– A new 10,000-square-foot Washington Dining Hall.
- A new bookstore.
- A new Career Center.
- An esports center.
- A sports cafe.
- A second-floor cafe with an outdoor patio.
- 10 meeting and collaboration spaces.
The expansion follows a $4.4 million renovation of the existing building, which included an overhaul of the university’s bowling alley, so the entire structure will have a fresh feel.
Students express excitement, gratitude for expansion project
“Today’s groundbreaking represents growth, progress and our continued commitment to providing the best for
our students and campus community,” said Mister SC State Bryce McIntosh, 23, a graduating senior speech pathology and audiology major from Lake City, South Carolina.
“We’re grateful to our leadership partners and alumni and supporters who helped make this moment possible. These new buildings will create opportunities for learning, innovation and future success. We’re proud of where we are and excited about where we’re going,” he said.
McIntosh was delighted to see the project include newer building spaces and more advanced technology for students to enjoy.
“It’s a great recruitment to attract other kids because of all the things that’s been going on at SC State. I feel like this is a great opportunity for the students just to find themselves and explore,” he said, noting that the university leadership has shown that it is adhering to student needs.
“That’s the best thing that we can ask for as students. That’s a really good thing,” said McIntosh, who will be returning to SC State to work on obtaining a master’s degree after completing his bachelor’s degree in May.
Bella Joy Irving, a senior family and consumer science major from Orangeburg, said
she was also excited about the new expanded student center.
“I’m excited for what it’s going to bring, the new things that are coming. I hope I can see a little bit of it before I go. I’m excited. Hopefully the project will provide more opportunities for students to work there,” the 21-year-old said.
Irving said she also appreciates the university’s vision, including the leadership of SC State President Alexander Conyers.
“President Conyers is very attentive to what we are saying as students, especially with the tragedies that occurred this past semester. A lot went on, but he was really attentive to what we had to say. He does listen to us, and he’s very attentive. I’m happy that he got another term to show more of what he can do because he is doing a lot for us,” she said.
