Culp reopens after long-awaited renovations

ETSU students have waited through almost two years of campus construction for the $45.5 million transformation of the D.P. Culp Student Center.

On Feb. 24, that wait came to an end as a soft opening was held for the newly renovated building – what Joe Sherlin, vice president for Student Life and Enrollment, considers a “once in a generation opportunity.”

“We’re really excited,” Sherlin said. “We think the Culp Center is the primary building on campus for student life, and we believe these renovations are really going to transform that facility.”

The project, conceptualized in 2014, began construction when the building closed in May 2018. Renovations were split into four phases. Phase One, the Post Office, Passport Services and the Dining Hall, was completed in August 2019. Phase Two included renovations completed by February 2020 for the Culp Center’s reopening. The final phases are still in progress, with Phase Three, the Cave, set to finish in March, and Phase Four, outdoor areas, to be completed during the summer.

Sherlin said one of the reasons the project has moved quickly is because they relocated all the offices in the Culp Center to other locations across campus during construction. Many offices moved back into the building the week of Feb 17., but several offices will not move back until summer. All offices should be back in the fall.

Sherlin believes students will benefit from the changes because students were involved in the design.

“I think we’re getting a lot for our investment,” Sherlin said. “And we’ve had great input from the SGA and students throughout the process. So, I think it really – it realizes the vision that they had – and still have. So, I’m just so excited to see it. It’s a once in a generation opportunity, really.”

A specific addition to the building, inspired by students’ desire for a new design, is the increase of natural light. With a full addition of glass windows, more light comes into the building than with the previous design.

“The light – the glass in the space is beautiful,” ETSU President Brian Noland said. “It’s going to be a beautiful space just to sit and to converse with friends.”

Along with the exterior of the building, the interior has undergone changes on all three floors.

On the first floor, students can shop at the ETSU Bookstore and enjoy dining options such as Starbucks, Steak ‘n Shake, Chick-fil-A, Mein Bowl, Roger’s Buc Mart and Boar’s Head Deli. Along with the return of the Martha Street Culp Auditorium and the introduction of outdoor terraces, students can now access a main street connecter that connects the east and west sides of campus.

An enhanced Cave space is set to open later in March, with a stage, improved gaming areas and an Esports gaming arena, as well as a video wall to be completed by the fall.

The second floor will house student organizations and student life functions, which are two areas Sherlin thinks will be beneficial to bring together.

“I think that is going to foster a lot of student collaboration and excitement by bringing our student leaders and student organizations together in one space,” Sherlin said.

On one side, the new Carrier Center will contain offices for Student Activities and Organizations, Student Center staff, Sustainability, Leadership & Civic Engagement and Fraternity & Sorority Life. This will also include a Pride Resource Center as a space for LGBT student support on campus. The Advisement Resources Career Center and its services will be added to the Carrier Center over the summer.

On the other side lies the Multicultural Center, a Student Government Association Suite and the Welcome Center, which includes ID Services. The Student Media Center sits in the center, currently housing the East Tennessean newsroom. Additions to the media center, including The Edge 89.5 HD4’s student radio station, are projected to finish by the fall.

The third floor includes an enhanced dining hall, common spaces, lounge spaces, meeting rooms and the TRIO Programs/Student Support Services. Over the summer, Disability Services and the Counseling Center will move in, and an upgraded ballroom will be complete.

Noland said there is still a lot of work to be done, but he is also thankful, looking back at how far the project has come.

“There’s still going to be a lot of work to accomplish once it opens, but I’m excited,” Noland told the East Tennessean after the Feb. 21 ETSU Board of Trustees meeting, three days before the soft opening. “You know, this is something we started talking about in 2014, and now here we are six years later. So, I think back of student body president Doretha Benn, who was a champion for this. Doretha’s starting a new job out in California this week. I’m really thankful to students who pushed.”

Noland said he looks forward to seeing how the building will change the culture of the university because during construction there was no central place on campus for people to come together. He said the Culp Center provides a community space on campus – a reason why Sherlin believes it will be a “hub” for student life.

“The more connected you get on this campus, the more it feels like home and the more you want to stay,” Sherlin said. “And, so that’s really the goal for that facility – is to be a home for students who are living on this campus or commuting to campus every day. There’s a place they feel comfortable and excited to go to, and they know they’re going to get great service.”

Grand Reopening events will take place Monday through Friday March 2-6.

Monday’s events include free haircuts 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first floor, a game night with board games, music bingo and snacks at 7 p.m. in the first-floor lobby and a free film screening of “Light from Light” at 7 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium

On Tuesday, students can enjoy free giveaways during the Starbucks grand opening celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor. Other events include an Inclusive Career Fair from noon to 3 p.m. on the second floor, an ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band Performance at 3:45 p.m. at the Musician’s Corner on the first floor, the Comedian in Concert with stand-up comedian Mandal at 7 p.m. in the East Tennessee Room on the second floor and a Goitse Irish Quintet Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium.

The 2020 Spring Organization Showcase, “Rock the Reopening: ETSU Back in Blue,” will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third floor. Tuesday’s showcase will have a karaoke battle of the bands, and Wednesday’s will have a hot seat escape room. There will be a T-shirt giveaway, costume contest, games and prizes both days.

Wednesday will also include a Pride Center Open House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 215, the ETSU “Here for the Hoopla” Blood Drive with Marsh Regional Blood Center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the second floor and an ETSU student talent show from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium.

On Thursday, a ribbon cutting ceremony and coming home celebration for the D.P. Culp Student Center will be held at 2 p.m. on the first floor. The ETSU Bookstore will have a grand opening from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a formal ribbon cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. At 1:15 p.m., there will be a ribbon cutting for Roger’s Buc Mart and Boar’s Head Deli, as well as a First Bite Chick-fil-A Opening Celebration. Other events include an ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band performance at 3:45 p.m. at the Musician’s Corner on the first floor and Bucky’s Big Barn Dance from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the student center ballroom.

Friday’s events include the Steak ‘n Shake Grand Opening Celebration with free giveaways from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor and a free movie, “Harriet,” at 7 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium.

Guided building tours led by ETSU admissions ambassadors will take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting in the ballroom pre-function area on the third floor. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk ups will be accommodated. The Post Office will have coming home stickers all week and Bucky’s Food Pantry will be holding a Coming Home food drive in which students can donate to help to reach the goal of 2,020 items.

For more information about the Grand Reopening Events, visit https://www.etsu.edu/students/univcent/information/eventschedule.php.