The Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Jackson Chamber of Commerce Growth Foundation are leasing from the city of Jackson the second and third floors of the building -- a total of 9,000 square feet -- for the architecture program.
More than $175,000 was donated to a fund-raising drive aimed at securing private donations to support the program's needs in the new facility, including enhancements, furnishings, equipment, computers, and a special project with the Jackson Public Schools.
Architecture professor Bob Craycroft is director of the fifth-year program, and Roy Decker is assistant professor.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for our students and a boost for our architecture program," said architecture Dean John McRae at the dedication. "One goal of the fifth-year program is to study the urban setting and this new location will provide us that opportunity.
"The Elks Club and the downtown area will offer our students a historic and architecturally stimulating perspective in which to study."
Former Gov. William Winter, Jackson Mayor Kane Ditto, Mississippi State President Donald Zacharias, and university Provost Derek Hodgson were among the distinguished guests at the dedication ceremony.
The following people and organizations were recognized at the ceremony for their commitment of time and financial resources to the School of Architecture's fifth-year program: Canizaro-Trigiani Architects, Capitol Hardware Co. Inc., Craft-Croswell Contract Furnishings, Craig and Singleton Architects, Leland Speed, Gresham Smith & Partners, Warren Hood, Stuart C. Irby Jr., JH & H Architects, Michael Malouf, Mississippi Power and Light Co., Mississippi Valley Gas Co., John N. Palmer Foundation, William H. Rosamond, The S.N. Thomas Sons Family, Thrasher Architectural Products, and Tri-State Brick & Tile Co. Inc.
Constructed in 1902, the three-story-with-basement building originally housed the Elks Club, the first LeFleur's Restaurant, and a speakeasy.
Updated and adapted by Chris Brown <brownc@ur.msstate.edu>.
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