BlackboardCollege Breaks Ground for Phase II
On Friday afternoon, February 7th, the College broke ground for the construction of Phase II, the second building in the three-building original plan for the Engineering School.
Speaking at the ceremony were Dr. Charles Reed, Chancellor of the State University System, Presidents D'Alemberte of FSU and Humphries of FAMU, Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents Uhlfelder, Co-chair of the Engineering Advisory Council and former U.S. Representative Fuqua, Wanda Parker-Garvin, executive of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Alumni Association, Representative Marjorie Turnbull and Insurance Commissioner Bill Nelson.
The speakers stressed the cooperation between the two Universities which was essential in bringing about the establishment of the College. Special tribute was paid to former presidents Bernard Sliger of FSU and Walter Smith of FAMU, former regent DuBose Ausley, and to Herb Morgan and Don Fuqua, for their efforts in bringing the College to realization.
Dr. Reed noted that the College is already looking forward to Phase III, the third building in the complex, which would house an auditorium, a state-of-the-art information facility, and expanded student amenities.
The new building will add 98,000 square feet to the present 110,000 square foot facility. At a cost of $15 million, it will provide additional classrooms, laboratories and faculty offices. This will bring the College sufficient space for the present enrollment of over 2000, with a faculty of over 70. The College has been short of space for several years as the first building was designed to accomodate an enrollment of 1000.
The new building was designed by the architectural firm of Gilchrist & Crowe in Tallahassee, and construction will be done by Ajax Construction of Tallahassee. It is expected to be occupied by Fall 1998.
