LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania President Charles L. Shearer has announced that ground is being prepared for a new suite-style residence hall off Fourth Street.
“I’m delighted to announce that our new residence facility will be named Thomson Residence Hall in honor of Joe Thomson and his wife, JoAnn. Mr. Thomson is a 1966 graduate of Transylvania and a member of the Board of Trustees.
Construction of the $5.5 million building, which will be located off southwest Fourth Street, will begin soon and will be completed by August 1, 2008.
“I’m grateful to Joe and JoAnn,” said Shearer. “It’s gratifying when an alum steps up and makes a lead gift toward such an important project. We truly appreciate the Thomsons and all the donors, including trustees, friends and foundations that have given to this project.”
Each of the 31 suites will house two students and contain a sleeping area, a living area, a kitchenette and private bath. The three-story building, with 28,000 square feet, will also house a café and large meeting room and will be heated and cooled with a geothermal HVAC system, the most energy efficient, environmentally clean system available.
Shearer said that Thomson Hall will provide students with a living experience that meets contemporary expectations. “Many students desire apartment or suite-style accommodations and we’re pleased that this new residence hall represents a forward-looking approach,” he said.
Transylvania currently has two residence facilities—Rosenthal Residence Complex and Poole Residence Center—that offer either apartment- or suite-style accommodations.
“Thomson Hall is the first phase of a two phase project,’ said Shearer. “Construction of the second new residence hall is expected to begin in the next three years.”
Thomson, a Cynthia native, lives in Pennsylvania but returns to Lexington several times a year. He is the owner of Winbak Farm, one of the most successful standardbred breeding operations in North America, and co-owner of the Red Mile race track in Lexington.