Giving Tuesday Day 7: Seven Major Campus Renovations

On the seventh day of Giving Tuesday my Piedmont shared with me SEVEN major campus renovations. 

With the merger between John Wesley University and CU, one of the many benefits that has continued to bless the campus is the invaluable work of Spruce Services, a High Point construction company owned by Ray and Steve Wheatly. The campus renovations they have recently completed totals over $1M. Spruce Services also curates the property including repairs, all lawn and garden work, and major equipment repairs to heating and air. The campus improvement projects they have completed recently include the following:

1. Able Williams Gym. While it was evident to all that the gymnasium was in need of repairs, one person took the responsibility for spearheading the renovation project. Asst. Athletic Director and Asst. Women’s Volleyball Coach Shea Miller saw the need for the project and put the processes and people in place to make it happen. On Thursday, September 19, Carolina University hosted their first home volleyball match of the season and celebrated the completion of the project. Before the first serve, Piedmont took a moment to dedicate its newly renovated gymnasium to honor the major benefactor Mr. George A. “Abie” Williams. Mr. Williams has been a fantastic catalyst for University improvements over the years. His generosity funded all of the renovations and equipment to launch the Williams Family Recording Studio, replace virtually every window across 130,000 square feet of facilities, and ensure the successful completion of a variety of other key initiatives. Most recently he provided significant financial help that enabled the 2019 beautification project and gymnasium remodel. The newly named Williams Gymnasium saw the addition of air conditioning, new bleachers, chairs, scoring table, and storage building.
2. Cafeteria. Due to our partnership with Aramark as a major provider for campus food services, our cafeteria has undergone $300,000 dollars worth of renovations and new equipment in our cafeteria this past summer. A further significant investment in our campus and students will take place next Summer when they plan a $1.25 million dollar total renovation of the cafeteria and exterior structure including outside eating facilities.
3. The ARC. Located one block from the main campus is CU’s new Enrollment Services building that provides interaction between our campus and prospective students. Affectionately known as “The ARC”, the building was for many years the headquarters of an architectural firm that was acquired as part of the purchase of a hotel property and city block now owned by the university. The building represents a vital naming opportunity as it relates to the continued success in training future generations of CU students. Please let us know if you would like this honor or would like to honor someone through this opportunity.
4. Pope Student Center. The old student center was gutted and tastefully remodeled and outfitted with a new coffee/gift shop, student seating and recreation space.
5. Deeds Hall. Extensive renovations included the addition of two ADA compliant ramps at two entrances to Deeds Hall, an addition of an ADA bathroom on the second floor, ten offices remodeled with carpet and paint, a parking lot installed on the upper part of Deeds, and the replacement of a water heater.
6. The Athletic Office. The house was purchased and renovated for office use including the installation of an alarm system, cameras, and security lighting.
7. Residence Halls. Guest rooms were converted to dorm rooms on Patterson first floor, twenty-five new heating/ac units were installed, and water heaters were replaced in Griffith, Lee, and Patterson Halls. The fourth floor of Stevens Hall was gutted and remodeled for dorm rooms, and the third and fourth floor hallways were carpeted and five new heating/ac units were installed. 

Your generous gift today or on “GivingTuesday” will provide Carolina University with critical brick and mortar funding to continue making necessary campus upgrades to meet the needs of our faculty, staff and students.