|
By Jodi Riggins
Fourteen months of construction and $10.4 million of renovations have transformed Reed Hall, the UGA residence hall built in 1952 and reopened last fall. To celebrate the new state-of-the-art hall and honor the alumnus whose name it bears, University Housing and Student Affairs held a  rededication ceremony April 27 in the Reed quadrangle.
The hall was named for Thomas Walter Reed, an alumnus who was registrar from 1909 to 1945. Reed was known for his ability to remember students’ names and his passion for sharing UGA’s history. He also served as secretary of the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees.
Reed’s granddaughter Dorothy Stephenson, from College Park, attended the ceremony.
“Grandfather Reed lived his life among the students at UGA, helping them in any way that he could--that was his life,” she says. “I hope that the ceremony will help students today appreciate all the years of hard work by my grandfather and others who helped the university become what it is today.”
Participating in the ceremony were UGA President Michael F. Adams; Dwight Douglas, vice president for student affairs; David Fletcher, assistant to the vice president for student affairs; and Jim Day, director of University Housing. The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting, followed by a reception and guided tours of the building.
The renovated co-ed residence hall houses 296 students in singles, suites and disability rooms. New plumbing, heating and security systems were installed. The hall is fully compliant with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In addition, the hall now boasts kitchens on each wing, large study lounges and a multi-purpose room. The most advanced feature is the addition of Ethernet ports in each room, giving residents free and direct access to the Internet without using a phone line.
Megan Kreitner, president of the Reed Hall Council, says she chose Reed Hall for its convenience.
“When I came to UGA as a freshman, I was told that I had to have the dorm experience,” she says. “But this is no dorm experience; it’s like living in a hotel. I have my own bathroom and an Internet connection. Plus, I am able to live in the center of campus.”
|
