Art studio in M.C. Farmer Building
of Music and School of Worship Leadership. The old 2-D lab is now a technology classroom and rehearsal space, while the old 3-D studio functions as rehearsal and classroom space for film and theatre students. School of Christian Ministries faculty have moved into first-floor offices in Martin Hall once occupied by the College of Arts and Sciences. The Ben May Building – that once housed the campus bookstore, fitness center, and Ram Deli – now is home to the College of Arts & Sciences with five classrooms and 10 faculty offices. Additionally, Farmer Building and Garner Building had an interior facelift to match the new look of the May Building, while also receiving an HVAC upgrade. Farmer houses the 2-D & 3-D art studios, formerly in Martin Hall, while Garner houses the English department. Last year, the first floor of J.L. Bedsole Library was renovated to function as a student center, housing Java City coffee shop and the campus bookstore. The second phase of this project is underway, expanding the first floor of the former library space to include a new grill and fitness facility. A patio will be added at the back of the building to complement those at the front of the library and
beside Ram Hall. The swimming pool was resurfaced and new rubber decking was added, along with a restroom and shower facility. Night baseball games at Jacobs Field are now possible with the addition of outdoor lighting and a state-of-the-art scoreboard. The baseball locker room has also been completed, with a paved drive and erosion control underway. Last year, irrigation and new landscaping was added to the Ram statue island area, as well as an LED sign for current events and announcements. Good Stewards The driving force behind the campus enhancement project was a focus on faithful stewardship. “We understand the importance of taking good care of that which we have inherited from those who have gone before us. Our emphasis throughout the Campus Enhancement Project was on using our financial and physical resources in the most effective ways possible to make the most impact as we fulfill the vision of those early founders of Mobile College,” Foley said. The idea for the extensive fruitbasket-turnover began when he asked his key leadership team how to create space to house the growing music program, which was bursting at the seams. “Dr. Audrey Eubanks (vice president for academic affairs) came back and said, ‘I think we can move the library to the second floor and still expand library services. What can we do with the first floor?’” Foley recalled. “That started the dream.”m umobile.edu 41