University Place Ribbon Cutting Attracts MC Supporters

MC and Clinton leaders celebrated the opening of University Place residence halls Friday.Its eight units house 189 MC students.

Mississippi College students like Logan McLeod are fans of the new University Place residence halls.

“It’s so much nicer than I could have imagined – it’s so spacious,” says Logan, a 21-year-old senior. “I love the kitchen and the counter space.”

Among the first students moving into University Place in mid-August, the Gulf Coast resident joined MC supporters and Clinton leaders attending Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremonies.

The eight attractive brick units took about a year to build. But the job’s not quite over. Workers continue to upgrade the landscaping, sidewalks and lighting on the property sitting on MC’s East Campus. The facilities on the old Clinton Junior High site will serve 189 MC undergraduates.

Addressing the MC family and Clinton city leaders, President Lee Royce said the large building project “proves that Christian higher education is alive and well.”

Costing $16 million, University Place represents the biggest construction project at Mississippi College in nearly two decades.

With MC enrollment bursting with more than 5,000 students in recent years, University Place will help ease housing shortages on the Clinton campus.

Equipped with French balconies, modern apartment-style living, scenic courtyards and much more, the new residence halls make Mississippi College competitive with housing at the state’s biggest universities. “I am so excited,” said MC senior Lauren Fiegle of Merritt Island, Florida.

Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher said he was skeptical when MC leaders first approached him with the construction blueprint. The mayor didn’t think the project would be completed in twelve months.

Despite heavy rains pelting Central Mississippi during the spring, the work stayed on schedule and on budget.

“The college did good,” Fisher told visitors before they toured the buildings.

Mayor Fisher, the Clinton Chamber of Commerce and leaders with Main Street Clinton joined the August 14 ceremonies to welcome the latest addition to the Mississippi College campus.

The event attracted MC Board of Trustees Chairman Roy Ward and Sen. Hillman Frazier of Jackson as well as architects, designers and builders associated with the project.