Contact: Sammy McDavid
Groundbreaking will be held Oct. 23 at the work site of a new Mississippi State freshman residence hall being named for a retired university vice president.
The 9:30 a.m. public program marks the official construction launch of Roy H. Ruby Residence Hall, a 160,000-square-foot, 400-bed facility designed by the Luke & Kaye architectural firm of Meridian and Columbus.
Inman Construction Co. of Memphis, Tenn., is primary contractor for what will be the first such structure of its kind built at MSU in the last 36 years.
Located just north of Suttle Residence Hall at the intersection of George Perry Street and Coliseum Boulevard, the massive new building will be a tribute to the MSU alumnus who served nearly 40 years in the Division of Student Affairs, including 16 as its top leader.
Ruby Hall will feature private baths, wireless Internet access, free Ethernet, and free "super-basic" television cable with Home Box Office, among other amenities.
Joining MSU President Charles Lee and Ruby on the program will be, among others, College Board member Scott Ross of West Point, Residence Hall Association President Timothy Jackson of Jackson, and William Kibler, the current student affairs vice president.
The groundbreaking ceremony will precede the 11:30 a.m. televised campus football game between the Bulldogs and University of Florida Gators.
Over a career that concluded with retirement in June, Ruby also was director for four years of MSU's Jackson branch campus. In 2002, he stepped down as student affairs vice president to become full-time College of Education dean, a position he had held on an interim basis for two years in addition to his student affairs leadership.
For additional information on the program, contact the housing and residence life department at (662) 325-3555. An artistic rendering of Ruby Hall and additional information on amenities may be viewed at http://www.saffairs.msstate.edu .