A large group of administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, students and community leaders gathered for the dedication of IUS residence halls Wednesday, Oct. 15.
The IUS Classical Choice Ensemble played quietly in the background as attendees greeted each other and took their seats under a large tent behind University Center North.
Indiana University President Michael McRobbie took the podium to begin the dedication ceremony at about 2:30 p.m.
McRobbie began his speech by welcoming the audience and reading a quote from John Ruskin and Robert Frost.
McRobbie said the sense of community residence halls create dates back to the 13th century when students lived in tents or worse, and the site at IU Southeast parallels those early days.
“These residences play a vital role for IU throughout the state. The impressive new residences improve quality of life for all on campus,” McRobbie said.
McRobbie went on to thank all those involved in the project and introduced IUS Chancellor Sandra Patterson-Randles.
Patterson-Randles said calling this ceremony a dedication was appropriate because campus housing at IU Southeast has been a dream for many years.
“This is a true milestone in campus history. This is the second most significant event, second only to the move to this site,” Patterson-Randles said.
Patterson-Randles said the residence halls were vital to IU Southeast turning out well educated, broadly educated students.
“There was a piece missing. We wanted IUS to better serve the needs of this region,” she said.
Patterson-Randles said from the use of local contractors to the 96 percent occupancy rate, the residence halls have pumped $44.3 million into the local economy and students will put in another $4 million.
Edward Jerdonek, president and chief executive officer of Luckett & Farley Architects, the lead contractors of the housing project, said this project created a living environment that was strikingly different from ordinary residence halls.
“These lodges create a feeling of community and balance that offers students more than just a place to sleep,” Jerdonek said. “They are far greater than a cluster of buildings. We created a community.”
Ruth Garvey-Nix, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said the residence halls have contributed to record enrollment for this semester and the increase in attendance to all events on campus.
After several speeches from an array of individuals involved in the housing project, Brittany Perez, English senior and community adviser, took the podium.
Perez said living on campus paves the way for the highest academic achievement.
“We are never in short supply of new people to meet and we have more people to walk with us as we chart our way through college,” Perez said. “Living in the lodges has made for a richer and more fulfilling college experience.”
By AMY STALLINGS
Staff Writer
akstalli@ius.edu
