Fourteen months of construction and $10.4 million of renovations recently transformed a University of Georgia residence hall originally built in 1952. To celebrate the new state-of-the-art Reed Hall and to honor the University of Georgia alumnus whose name it bears, University Housing and the Division of Student Affairs will rededicate the building at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 27, at 1:30 p.m. in the Reed quadrangle.

Reed Hall was named in honor of Thomas Walter Reed, an alumnus who served as registrar from 1909 to 1945. Reed was known for his love for the university, his ability to remember students’ names and his passion for sharing the history of UGA. Reed also served as secretary of the UGA Board of Trustees and was named registrar emeritus upon his retirement in 1945.

Dorothy Stephenson, Reed’s granddaughter from College Park, said she is amazed and honored that Reed Hall will be rededicated more than 40 years after it was built. “Grandfather Reed lived his life among the students at UGA, helping them in any way that he could...that was his life,” she said. “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.” Stephenson will attend the ceremony.

Several guests, including 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, will serve as speakers for the ceremony. Area legislators and Athens-Clarke County government officials, as well as members of the Reed family, are also expected to participate in the festivities. The event will conclude with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a reception and guided tours of the building by resident assistants and members of the Reed Hall Council. Musical entertainment will be provided by several residents of Reed Hall in the main lobby throughout the afternoon.

The newly renovated co-ed residence hall opened in August 1998 and houses 296 students in singles, suites, super suites and disability rooms. New plumbing, heating and security systems were also installed. Complete with elevators, showers that are wheelchair accessible and ramps at the main entrance, Reed Hall is fully compliant with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, Reed Hall now boasts kitchens on each wing, large study lounges and a multi-purpose programming room. The most advanced feature of the renovations is the addition of Ethernet ports in each room, which allow residents to directly access the Internet free and without using a phone line.

Megan Kreitner, president of the Reed Hall Council, said she chose to live in Reed Hall for its luxury and convenience. “When I came to UGA as a freshman, I was told that I had to have the dorm experience,” she said. “But this is no dorm experience; it’s like living in a hotel. I have my own bathroom and an Internet connection that allows me to talk on the phone and surf the web at the same time. Plus, I am able to live in the center of campus.”

The Reed Hall rededication ceremony is open to the public.
Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Ann Hoffman at the Reed Hall office at 706/542-3753.