TCC upgrades student union with modern amenities
Photo by Kerrie Wetherspoon
By Kerrie Wetherspoon
Special to the Outlook
When Tallahassee Community College built a student union two and a half decades ago, it was considered a trendy and stylish gathering spot.
Over time, it lost its appeal and was shuttered in the spring of 2022.
The facility is reopened now with a lot more than just a facelift.
The renovated building has increased seating, charging ports and indoor greenery. There is also an area to watch television and video games.
The changes were being considered for several years before renovation started about nine months ago, said Sherry Rowland, TCC’s Vice President of Student Affairs.
“The student union from 1997 wasn’t up to date or modern,” said Rowland. “It was functional, but as you know; lots have changed on colors and look and how students want to use more spaces.”
TCC celebrated the reopening with a ribbon-cutting last Monday. In addition to Rowland, speakers included TCC President Jim Murdaugh. TCC’s Student Government Association President Tommy McCall also participated in the ceremony.
When plans were being drawn up for the renovation, the goal was to brighten the drab look inside the building. Make it a “home,” Rowland said.
“We wanted this space to be like the living room of our campus,” said Rowland. “So think about, you know, why we all like living rooms and the things we do there with eating and relaxing and talking and spending time.”
BKJ, Inc. Architecture was commissioned to draw up the desired changes and Mad Dog Construction brought it all together.
Madeline Forrester, a second-year student at TCC, watched the changes unfold.
“From what I saw in last year’s state of the building, I wasn’t exactly sure about the pits that they had at the eating area,” said Forrester. “But since then they have filled those areas up. I also saw that they made a lot more room for more sitting. More comfy spots. The renovations that they did were really awesome.”
Students were actually occupying the facility four months before the grand reopening. Freshman Taylor Brown said inside the building was “completely dead” when she showed up at TCC.
“Once the new union opened up, a lot of students are in here and I’ve seen people play video games and stuff,” Brown said. “It’s definitely a good place to come and chill after stressful classes.”
