A fresh new voice!

Northwest Continues Campus Renovation Project with New Student Union

September 1, 2010

Senatobia — With the growth in enrollment that has been experienced at Northwest in recent years and another record enrollment set this fall, the college Board of Trustees has authorized the continuation of the college capital building campaign — Building on Tradition II.

Approved in the August meeting, final plans are now taking shape.

“A major component of this plan is the renovation of the McLendon Student Union,” said Dr. Gary Lee Spears, Northwest president. “By redefining and remodeling the space in that complex, we should have more space for activities for students.”

According to Spears, plans call for expansion of the college bookstore, space for exercise facilities, an expanded open-space computer lab, math lab and meeting rooms for student groups.

Offices currently located in the Union will move in November to various temporary locations on campus, including the second floor of the Tunica Building, which will be vacant after the nursing department moves to the new nursing facility.

Other offices will be relocated to the lower levels of the new nursing facility, the McCormick Administration Building and the Lafayette Humanities Building.

Construction on the McLendon Student Union is planned to begin in December and will be the largest renovation project in the college’s history.  

A career-technical building to house tool and die technology, and heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration technology is in the final planning stages. Expansion of the tool and die technology program will help meet the need for skilled workers at Mississippi auto-related manufacturing companies. State bond monies are helping to fund this project.

Installation of new tennis, volleyball and outdoor basketball courts, designed to meet growing student demand for physical education classes and exercise facilities, should be ready by October.

In progress is a road reconstruction project for Porter and West streets. Completion is expected by October.