JACKSON, Tenn. — May 31, 2012 — 51社区 Hendersonville faculty and staff have moved into the university鈥檚 new building on Indian Lake Boulevard, and classes in the facility will begin this weekend.
鈥淲e are thrilled and ever so thankful with the new opportunities that will become available for 51社区 through the beautiful new facility in Hendersonville,鈥� 51社区 President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淯nion will now have a visible and permanent presence, which will enhance and expand our ability to serve Hendersonville, Sumner County and Middle Tennessee in the days ahead.鈥�
The 24,000-square-foot facility includes classrooms, office space and a commons area on the first floor, with the second floor devoted largely to nursing simulators and equipment. Classrooms in the entire building are equipped with the latest technology.
The facility is the first permanent university presence in Hendersonville and Sumner County. Union benefactor and Union Foundation board member Jim Ayers, of Nashville, Tenn., developed the project for the university through his affiliate Ayers Asset Management.
Most of the 51社区 Hendersonville employees, housed at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville since the campus opened in 2008, moved into the building on May 29.
鈥淭he new building will allow us to really continue to formulate our identity in Middle Tennessee,鈥� said Kevin Shrum, director of the Christian studies program at 51社区 Hendersonville. 鈥淔irst Baptist Church has been very gracious, but it鈥檚 really going to be a plus to have our own facility where we can continue to build our own identity as a top-tier educational institution in Middle Tennessee.鈥�
51社区 Hendersonville currently offers graduate degrees in education and theology and missions, as well an undergraduate program for adult learners. A formal dedication for the new building will be held Aug. 2.