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30, 2001 Historic road closes for construction of new Student Services Center Another chapter of Arkansas State University history will close in July when a section of Aggie Road is permanently shut down for construction of the new $27 million Reng Student Services Center. A road that was once the main thoroughfare from Jonesboro to Paragould will never again witness homecoming floats, pep rallies, street dances or Springfest. In 1909, when construction of the campus was begun in fields a mile and a half east of Jonesboro, a long and jagged road ran through the center of the present-day campus. The State Agricultural School began building its first Administration Building parallel to the original highway. The front of the building faced south, opposite the highway, towards the railroad tracks where students would often arrive. The Administration Building was replaced by Wilson Hall when the original Administration Building burned in 1931, destroying nearly all student and university records. Wilson Hall opened its north-facing doors to students, faculty and staff in 1932, and continues to play an important role on campus. As highway traffic continued to roll through the center of the new campus, the section of the highway located on then Arkansas State College property quickly took on the name Aggie Road, obviously named for the institution. "It was the first road paved outside city limits in the state of Arkansas," V.H. (Buddy) Kays said in an interview prior to his death. Buddy was the son of V.C. Kays, first president of the university. Arkansas State University now begins a new chapter as construction begins on the new student union. Complemented by the 613-space parking garage north of the building and the completely renovated Reng Center, the new facility will serve students in a variety of capacities. A formal plaza will be in front of the new facility, east of Caraway Road, and an open-air courtyard will be located to the west, where Aggie Road presently lies. Staff and faculty parking places that exist on Aggie road have been transferred to the parking lot west of the International Student Center to accommodate those affected by the road closure, according to Dr. Rick Stripling, interim vice president for student affairs. "Aggie Road has a long history of outdoor special events such as Homecoming, Springfest and Welcome Week. The construction on this site is symbolic in that students want a new facility to serve their needs for the future," Stripling said. Jennus Burton, vice president for finance and administration, added that signs announcing the official closure have been placed at the intersections of Dean Street and Aggie Road, and Caraway Road and Aggie Road. Construction of the new structure is to begin in a few weeks. ###
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 University Communications Office Jonesboro, Arkansas Staff: Tom Moore Straley Snipes Vic Nelson 870-972-3056 fax 870-972-3069 Send mail: ASUnews@astate.edu Links: List of News/Announcements Upcoming Public Events About ASU ASU Home Page |
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