SC State continues historic campus transformation with groundbreaking ceremony for 532-bed residence hall

As one of several major projects underway on campus, the 100,000-square-foot facility will help the university meet the demands of a growing student body.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University broke ground Saturday on a new five-story, 100,000-square-foot residence hall that will house more than 500 freshmen and expand on-campus living capacity. University officials, alumni and others gathered on campus to celebrate the new residence hall, which will sit adjacent to Mitchell Hall and Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Several members of the South Carolina State University Board of Trustees also participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Board of Trustees Chair Douglas Gantt, an SC State alumnus, reflected on how campus housing has evolved.

“In 1980 when I came here, we felt like we were special that we had a box fan in our room because we didn’t have air conditioning. I can’t imagine what these students will come and see and experience in this new dormitory,” Gantt said.

“As a member of the Board of Trustees, I can’t thank our team enough for what we were able to do to improve a lot of things that helped make this possible. We’re definitely grateful for the president and always spending day and night thinking of things to make things better here at the university,” he said.

The new freshman residence hall will not only increase the university’s housing capacity but also provide students with a more modern living and learning environment.

Funded via a bond initiative, the $50 million new residence hall will sit adjacent to SC State's Mitchell Hall and Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Charleston, South Carolina–based Little Architects and Greenville, South Carolina–based AJAX Construction are working with the university on the new residence hall.

The five-story, 100,000-square-foot structure will accommodate more than 500 students. Amenities will include:

• Three study areas per floor.
• A lobby with a common kitchen and gathering space.
• A laundry room on each floor.
• Amazon mailboxes on the first floor.
• Electronic access control for the building and every room.

Along with the new residence hall, the university also broke ground earlier Saturday on a $20 million student center expansion project, with both projects designed to improve student life. Already underway is a $54.7 million new academic building adjacent to the Student Center Plaza.

“We’re in the midst of about a $200 million transformation on this campus. We will soon break ground on a $30 million library, a $20 million ROTC building, a $13 million transportation center, a $10 million or so new police station, and just so many other projects,” SC State President Alexander Conyers said.

Students thankful for campus improvements

Amanda Thomas, who serves as Miss Freshman at SC State, and Semaj Lewis, the university’s Mr. Freshman, welcomed the crowd to the groundbreaking ceremony.

Thomas said she was excited to celebrate the construction of a new residence hall.

“I’m just so thankful for President Conyers to be building up this campus. To see the campus already growing into something new is heartwarming. I love seeing the growth on campus,” said Thomas, 19, an early childhood education major from Cross, South Carolina.

Lewis said he appreciates the university’s continued growth.

“I feel great. I’m just so thankful for my faculty and staff. They’ve always put us first, so we’re going to do our best to put them first,” he said.

Thomas added, “I’m just so excited to see the future of our new campus.”

Officials highlight partnerships in campus growth, alumni involved

Emma Souder, a principal architect at Little Architects, said the groundbreaking marked a major milestone in the project. 

“We’re very excited about this opportunity. As an architect, this is one of our favorite days because we’ve been working on this project in two dimensions for the past six months, and now we get to see it come out of the ground and become a building,” Souder said.

“We are super excited about this project. We think it’s a wonderful addition to your campus and for your students, learning and engaging. We just thank you for the opportunity to be here. We are really looking forward to the day when we can walk through the building,” she said. 

Billy Byrne, a representative from AJAX Construction, said the project reflects broader momentum on campus.

“We’re the construction manager for this project. This campus is going through a transformation right now, so just to be able to aid and give back to the community in that way is really exciting,” Byrne said. 

“We’ve got two proud alumni who are going to be a part of this project and onsite every day. It’s been really fun to watch their excitement as they get to see and be a part of this growth,” he said. 

Noah Kinsey of Green Pond, South Carolina, and Christopher Graham of Timmonsville, South Carolina, both SC State graduates and AJAX Construction employees, also spoke during the ceremony.

“Thank you all for having us. I’m so excited to give back to the university that personally saved my life. This is just an amazing opportunity,” Graham said.

Dr. Tamara Jeffries, vice president for student affairs at SC State, said the university is expanding its capacity to support student growth.

“As enrollment grows, so must our capacity to support students in ways that foster community, engagement and academic achievement. Living on campus is critical. It’s a critical experience, and the new residence hall will provide a safe, modern and welcoming environment for our students so they can thrive,” Jeffries said.

“We look forward to the day when this space is filled with living, learning and Bulldog pride,” she said.

Financing the future of SC State residency

Calvin Stamps, founder and managing partner of Bretwood Capital Partners, an Atlanta-based investment management firm, also spoke about the company’s partnership with the university.

“We had the pleasure of working with the university as its financial adviser to fund these transactions for these exciting projects. We’re very grateful for the relationship and look forward to strengthening our partnership for many more years to come,” Stamps said. 

Will Fisher, president and chief executive officer of Rice Capital Access Program, a key component of the federal HBCU Capital Financing Program established by the U.S. Department of Education, said the partnership with SC State spans decades.

“On behalf of all of my partners and employees, I am incredibly pleased that we can continue our relationship with South Carolina State. Our relationship at South Carolina State goes back to when we did the Hugine Suites. This is a relationship of over 20 years, and we’re proud that we’re able to continue it,” Fisher said. 

“The work is not complete,” he said, noting that continued student growth will necessitate additional residence halls. 

Dr. Gerald Smalls, SC State’s vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, thanked the partners who made the project possible.

“This journey required not only expertise, but endurance, sacrifice and at times sheer determination. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. Above all, we give thanks to God. Thank him for guiding us, for sustaining us and for not allowing us to be discouraged by the naysayers,” Smalls said.