By Beth Sowers
HLG Public Relations Staff Writer
Hannibal – Hannibal-LaGrange College (HLG) held a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for two new 13,000 sq. ft. two-story dormitory buildings Aug. 26 at the building site on the north end of the campus. The new residence halls (Fletcher Hall North; Fletcher Hall South), are named in memory of Louis Bennett and Marie Fletcher, parents of longtime HLG trustee and contributor Jack Fletcher, and his wife Pat, of Gideon.
“Without a doubt these are some of the most exciting times in the history of Hannibal-LaGrange College,” said HLG President Woodrow Burt. “I’ve had numerous occasions to make that statement in recent years. The addition of these new facilities is cause for celebration.” Continued Burt, “These two beautiful new buildings which will bear the Fletcher name will help the college alleviate a housing shortage we have experienced, and we are grateful for that shortage because it means we have grown.”
Special features include a spacious commons area, in-room kitchenette with microwave, sink, and mini-refrigerator, laundry room on each floor, large closets with overhead storage, and adjoining bathrooms. Each large and fully furnished suite accommodates two students with twin beds, desks, chairs, and nightstands.
Fletcher Hall is the first multi-roomed men’s residence since the building of Crouch Hall in 1956. Crouch Hall will be closed during the 2009-10 academic year for renovation. Additional men’s campus housing space includes Nunn-Cook Hall, the quadraplex apartments, and the Lewis House. HLG welcomes a record 509 residential students for the fall 2009 semester.
The program also included remarks from Dagen Boyd, vice president of operations for Aduddell Development Group, the project real estate developer based out of Edmond, Okla. “We realize that these buildings themselves aren’t going to change anyone’s lives, but we do firmly believe that God is going to use the experiences the students have in these buildings, and those experiences will change their lives and help mold and prepare them for the business leaders and the Christian leaders that we’re going to count on,” said Boyd.
A ribbon cutting ceremony including the Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Jack and Pat Fletcher, along with other members of the Fletcher family, concluded the program.
Following the ceremony, the public was invited to tour the new facilities and attend a reception in the lobby of Fletcher Hall South.