Ahead of this week’s grand opening events for the newly renovated D.P Culp Student Center, Director of the Student Center Laura Hensley is excited to finally show it off after a long and difficult renovation process.
“I am so happy to finally be moved in,” said Hensley. “It’s been a difficult process, but it’s been a fun learning experience for me, and I am just ready to show it off.”
Approaching her 20th year at ETSU in June, the new Culp Center is very different than when Hensley started working at the university in 2000.
“It’s hard getting your bearings straight after working in the Culp Center so long,” Hensley said. “Just seeing what it was before to what it is now. When you walk in, you just kind of have to step back a little bit to get your bearings straight of where things used to be.”
A Greeneville native, Hensley chose to attend ETSU for her undergraduate degree and graduated in 1997 before joining the ETSU family again in 2000, where she progressed to her current role as director of the Student Center and campus ID Services.
“This area, it’s so lovely, and it just drew me back,” Hensley said. “I love the people, and I made a lot of connections with ETSU staff and faculty.”
In her role as director of the university center, Hensley looks over the day-to-day running of the center, where she takes charge of reservations, maintenance and food services. However, she was faced with a new challenge during renovation, having not previously been involved in such a process.
“This has definitely been a good learning experience for me,” Hensley said. “From the beginning, you don’t realize all the ins and outs that it takes to begin a renovation and the planning process.”
Hensley credited the work of colleagues, architects, contractors, facilities management and dignitaries of the university for bringing together the renovation.
One of her favorite features is the floor-to-ceiling windows that allow more light into the building, a feature she described as phenomenal and adding to the beauty of the building. Furthermore, the new Carrier Center on the mid-level brings together student activities and organizations into one easy-to-find space. On the lower level is Starbucks and a variety of food services, as well as the bookstore and a large lobby space for students to hang out.
“I think everybody who works in this building just has got a smile on their face when they walk in the door,” said Hensley. “It feels good to be able to enjoy a nice, new renovated space. We’re so lucky and so blessed to have it.”
Hensley is confident students will take advantage of the new space more than ever before, particularly due to the beautification and upgrades of it.
“We want students to hang out here,” she said. “This is your space. We just work in it.”
However, Hensley said the process isn’t over yet, as some new features are still in the works. The Cave will house individual gaming pods and a floor-to-ceiling video wall for eSports. There will be digital signage throughout the building showing the latest university events, and student organizations can also use these to advertise. The ballroom will also be renovated beginning in May, and student support services, such as disability and counseling, will be rearranged to give easier access to students.
