October 2005

TROY to dedicate General Academic Building atrium

TROY – Troy University officials will dedicate the atrium of its new General Academic Building at 3 p.m. Oct. 20.

The atrium is named in memory of Frances Daniel Branum, a TROY alumna and member of the Troy University Foundation Board of Directors from 1995 – 2000. A Greenville native, Branum was a graduate of Fort Dale Academy and a 1993 TROY graduate. She was an active community leader serving on the Greenville/Butler County Public Library Board, the Children’s Policy Council and was a member of the Daniel Foundation Board of Directors.

The General Academic Building is the University’s newest academic building, nestled between McCartha and Wallace halls, and increases classroom space on the campus by 22 percent, said physical plant director Mark Salmon.

The 42,000 square-foot building houses four multipurpose theater-style classrooms on the first floor, seating up to 120 students. Thirteen additional 60-student classrooms are also located in the building. Office space for some faculty members is also included in the building.

“This building supports student learning in a new and very sophisticated way,” said Dr. Dianne Barron, associate provost and dean of the University’s Graduate School.

Barron said the building, which is outfitted with wireless technology, has the capacity to sit about 1,300 students per hour. Each classroom has projection systems and computers to facilitate class presentations.

The program for the dedication includes a welcome and introduction from Dr. Cameron Martindale, senior vice chancellor for advancement and external relations; an invocation and benediction by Dr. Allen Dennis, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; the official opening of the building by Dr. Ed Roach, executive vice chancellor and provost; and recognition of special partners by Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr.

Special music will be provided by Xiao Ye and reflections of the Branum family will be provided by Marion Daniel Head.

A tour of the facility and reception will follow the program.

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