John Sparrow cuts the ribbon officially dedicating Sparrow Residence Hall. Looking on are his wife Juanita and family members. At right is SMC President, Dr. Charles P. Teague.

September 20, 2006

Sparrow Hall Dedicated

Dedication ceremonies were held at noon September 20, 2006 for Sparrow Residence Hall, located across from Bridges Residence Hall and adjacent to Barrett Learning Center.

Members of the Sparrow family were on hand, as well as SMC Trustees, staff, faculty and students for this celebration of the college’s new residence hall, housing 118 male students. Also on hand were representatives from Trehel Corporation, the facility’s builder; and McMillan-Smith Architects, the facility’s designer.

Mr. John Sparrow cut the ribbon at the entrance of the three-story, $4.8 million residence hall named for his family. SMC President, Dr. Charles P. Teague unveiled a plaque outside Sparrow Hall dedicated to the memory of H. Booker Sparrow and Nellie Cooke Sparrow, John’s parents.

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, Mr. Sparrow shared how meaningful an education at SMC was to his son Wesley and nephew Henry. 

“God has blessed my family in so many ways. One of our most recent blessings has been the opportunity to take part in this building project,” said Mr. Sparrow, adding that more important than buildings are the dedicated people he sees on the SMC campus.

“We are delighted that the facility is now open. We are grateful to the Sparrow family and their gift that launched this particular project. It’s a great, great feeling to serve our students in this beautiful facility,” said President Teague.

Dan Foster, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said that the gift from the Sparrow family to make the residence hall possible was an act of love.

“Your gift to this institution will change the lives of many, and hopefully somewhere along the way we will remind others our greatest legacy is that which we leave behind for others to grow and prosper,” Foster said. Also speaking for the Trustees was Patsy Simmons, who formerly chaired the Building and Grounds Committee. Simmons said the Sparrow family legacy serves as a challenge to fellow Trustees as well as faculty and staff to live up to the institution’s mission. She added that students also must pass the SMC mission along to the next generation.

Also sharing their thoughts during the ceremony were various members of the College staff, faculty and student body: Dr. Arthur Hartzog, Dean of Students; Stacey Mason, Director of Residence Life; Justin Cheek, Residence Hall Director of Sparrow Hall; and Amanda Shelnutt, President of the Student Government Association.