July 27, 2007

Ribbons cut on new TROY facilities

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: Radio actualities of Barnes and Noble store manager Shawn Jannelle and Dean of Students Herb Reeves may be downloaded at http://www.troy.edu/news/radios. A photo gallery of high-res photos covering all of today’s events (commencement, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and board of trustees meeting) is available at http://www.troy.edu/news/photogallery/index.html.

TROY – Troy University officially dedicated two new facilities on its Troy Campus Friday, a residence hall and a Barnes & Noble University Superstore.

Following summer commencement exercises, the University dedicated its new four-building Trojan Village, a residential four-story complex that will add 524 new beds to the campus.

Situated on six acres of land on the campus’ western edge, Trojan Village offers apartment-style living arrangements in either two- or four-bedroom suites. Each suite consists of shared bathroom facilities, a kitchenette and private bedrooms, in addition to a common living room area. Each room is equipped with high-speed internet and cable television connections and the complex includes a convenience store, a fitness center and a student lounge.

Ground was broken on the University’s largest-ever building project on Aug. 4, 2006. Owned by the Troy University Foundation and leased to the University’s housing office, Trojan Village was designed and developed by Ambling University Development Group of Valdosta, Ga.

Whaley Construction Company of Troy served as the general contractor on the project.

The ceremony was opened by Dr. John Schmidt, senior vice chancellor for student services. TROY student Kurt Lee led an invocation, followed by comments from Mr. Charles Nailen, a Troy University trustee and chairman of the Troy University Foundation. Mr. Charles Perry, president of Ambling University Development Group, also provided comments. TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. also brought remarks and made a number of presentations.

Following the Trojan Village ceremony was the dedication of the new Barnes and Noble University Bookstore – the company’s first academic superstore in Alabama.

The 11,000 square-foot facility includes state-of-the art point-of-sale and online sales technology and serves as the central hub in a system that includes bookstores on the University’s campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City. A virtual bookstore is also operated for University College, providing TROY students in 13 time zones access to a full-service bookstore.

The $2.5 million renovation of the Troy Campus bookstore also included a new Trojan Theater ticket office and entrance on the south side of the Adams Center. Barnes and Noble College Booksellers, Inc., invested about $800,000 in design, fixtures, equipment and technology.

The bookstore also includes a Starbucks Coffee café that provides a full selection of specialty drinks, sandwiches, soups and desserts.

Participating in the ceremony were Dr. Schmidt, who provided a welcome and introductions and TROY Student Government Association Vice President Cody Ash, who provided the invocation. Board of Trustees President pro-tem Dr. Douglas Hawkins offered comments followed by Barnes & Noble Vice President of Stores Brian Stark, a TROY graduate. Dr. Hawkins also made remarks and a number of presentations.

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Radio actuality transcripts:

 Herb Reeves, Dean of Students at Troy University

About 35 seconds

 The significance of these dorms being open is, one, it’s a milestone in campus building history. We started last August and in less than a year we have 525 new bed spaces. This is the first new residence halls from the ground up since the 1960’s and this is a new style of living for our students and we’re very excited to have this in as a part of our inventory in housing and look forward to having it fully occupied this fall.

 

Shawn Jennelle1, Manager, Barnes & Noble bookstore on Troy Campus

About 26 seconds

 We now offer not only the University but the community as well over 10,000 square feet of basic enjoyment. We have a Starbuck’s Café, we have a trade book department, with  access to the Bookmaster system. We have access to titles all over the world that we can get shipped here within four to seven days. We also continue to carry textbooks for the students and obviously Trojan merchandise and Trojan gear.

 

Shawn Jennelle2

About 26 seconds

 We have the college textbooks and college merchandise as we always have, but combine that with a Barnes & Noble superstore which has the atmosphere that you’re used to in the Montgomeries and the larger cities of the world and when you see the Barnes & Noble, Inc. stores with the trade books and the café -- the latte drinks and frappochinos --  a place to sit down and enjoy and read a book while you’re sipping on your coffee.