Contact: Maridith Geuder
A sweeping stainless steel, granite and glass structure that is the new home of Mississippi State's alumni and foundation offices will be formally dedicated Saturday [April 12].
The Hunter Henry Center, a 41,000-quare-foot facility completed last fall, will be showcased in ceremonies coinciding with the university's annual spring Super Bulldog Weekend activities. The facility is located at the intersection of Hunter Henry Boulevard and Barr Avenue along the west central edge of campus.
A 10 a.m. formal dedication program in the garden area will feature the building's lead donor, architect, and construction engineer, as well as university administrators.
The center is named for Hunter W. Henry Jr., a Canton native now of San Marcos, Texas, and the retired president of Dow Chemical USA. In 2001, the 1950 MSU chemical engineering graduate made a commitment of $3 million toward a facility that would become a centerpiece for campus and community activities.
Designed by Foil Wyatt Architects of Jackson and constructed by JESCO Inc. of Fulton, the center houses offices, a 300-seat capacity ballroom, 14 meeting areas, and a unique mezzanine area known as Legacy Hall. The building is topped by a towering 80-foot spire.
"This remarkable facility is a drawing card for the university and a symbol of Mississippi State's emerging identity," said Dennis A. Prescott, vice president for external affairs.
One of the few joint alumni and foundation centers in the nation, it is designed both for outdoor and indoor events, he added. "It is unique to the area and to the region."
For more information on the dedication, telephone Amy Cagle at (662) 325-1006.