GREENEVILLE – Work to provide an updated look in residence halls that is pleasing and welcoming to new and returning Tusculum University students continues with donations made to a special campaign.
Janelle Zirger, left, resident assistant, and student Haylee Miller stand in the updated lobby of Charles Oliver Gray West.
The university’s Facilities Management Department recently completed upgrades in the Charles Oliver Gray West residence hall. Among the improvements crews made were new flooring in the lobby and in the common areas on the other levels. They also repainted the walls and placed new room numbers in a school color on all levels and installed a Roku TV and new water fountain in the lobby.
This project is the newest one to completed with funds contributed to Tusculum’s Dorm Refresh Campaign.
“We’re thrilled to continue enhancing our residence halls for the comfort and enjoyment of our students,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “The Dorm Refresh Campaign has been an important initiative because the residence hall is a major component of the collegiate experience for those who live on campus. We are grateful to all of the donors who are helping create a special home-like atmosphere for our students.”
Janelle Zirger, a junior who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a concentration in forensic investigations, is a resident assistant in COG West. She saw COG West before the improvements were made and has now seen the changes. She is impressed with the outcome and appreciates the effort that went into the project.
“The changes have made a dramatic difference,” Zirger said. “It has a clean slate look. With the reflection of the orange numbers above the door and everything, I think it’s a very nice touch. This is such a great look for possible incoming students. It’s a lot more welcoming for me and definitely makes me want to spend more time around the dorm to hang out with people.”
Tusculum launched the Dorm Refresh Campaign in 2023, and it exceeded its $110,000 goal. Funds raised so far have resulted in updated lobbies in Charles Oliver Gray East and Welty-Craig Hall. The Welty-Craig lobby has been named the Stan R. Welty Jr. Lobby as a result of a $25,000 donation from his widow, Janet. He was a 1951 Tusculum graduate.
The COG West Lobby has been named the Domer Lobby in honor of Dr. Judith Domer, class of 1961, and her late husband Dr. Floyd R. Domer, following her $25,000 donation.
Max Olmstead, left, and Steve Porter from the Facilities Management Department place the Roku TV on the wall in the lobby of COG West.
Like COG West, COG East also received new floors and paint on the other levels. In addition, Justin Jeffers, a 2004 Tusculum graduate; his father, Richard Jeffers; and his aunt, Sharon Jeffers Hill, contributed $15,000 for a study room in COG East. The donation was in honor of Justin Jeffers’ grandmother, Helen Gillespie Jeffers, a 1941 Tusculum graduate, and her sister, Louise Gillespie Seaver, a 1936 Tusculum graduate.
The campaign also produced renovated pillars in front of Katherine Hall and a Roku TV in that residence hall’s lobby as well as renovations to one section of restrooms in COG East. Next on the list of projects is the second round of renovations to restrooms in COG East.
Another donor was Dr. Scott Niswonger, a 1987 Tusculum graduate and a member of the university’s Board of Trustees, as well as a prominent businessman, civic leader and philanthropist, who contributed $10,000 to the Dorm Refresh Campaign. Many others also contributed to the campaign.
“We are still accepting donations for the Dorm Refresh Campaign and encourage people to make a gift to this important endeavor,” said Edward Roberts, vice president of institutional advancement. “These gifts – large and small – are making a positive impact on our students and the caliber of their experience at Tusculum. The smiles that have appeared on students’ faces when they have seen the enhancements have been a sight to behold.”
To donate to the Dorm Refresh Campaign, please visit https://ssl.charityweb.net/tusculum/. People can access more information about the residence halls at https://site.tusculum.edu/housing-2/. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.