I'm back in Hattiesburg, following a very productive visit to Savannah. One thing I took away from this trip is the need to pay close attention to details when we think about how to transform "old" places or concepts and make them "new". The photo below is one I took inside of the student center at Savannah College of Art and Design. The building was formerly a Temple, and SCAD was scrupulous about preserving both the historic character and the fine architectural detail of the facility. Yet college officials knew that modern amenities and a relevant and updated "feel" for the space were critical to its success.
In many ways, we are grappling with similar issues here at Southern Miss. Tomorrow and Thursday I'll spend a great deal of time with the strategic enrollment management team trying to figure out how we build upon the past success of our university while moving us forward strategically. I'll also talk to the Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association about our plans for the old Hattiesburg High School property. I'm convinced that old things can serve new functions beautifully.
