University of Southern Mississippi College of Nursing Officially Breaks Ground on Asbury Hall

Some dreams certainly take longer than others to materialize, but the reality is that the College of Nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi will move into a spacious, new home in the not-so-distant future.

Southern Miss faculty, staff, students and administrators were joined by state dignitaries and University supporters on Wednesday, Sept. 17 for the official groundbreaking of Asbury Hall – future home of the College of Nursing.

Flanked by the motto: “Breaking new ground, transforming health care,” Dr. Katherine Nugent, dean of the College of Nursing at Southern Miss, reflected on the winding path that led to Wednesday's momentous occasion.

“This has been an eight-year journey,” said Nugent. “I remember being told a new building for the College of Nursing was not going to happen. People who know me also know that I'm not the most patient person. Well, here we are.”

“The College of Nursing is a signature program at The University of Southern Mississippi that has a legacy of providing quality nursing education and is poised to respond to the demands of an evolving health system,” added Nugent. 

The $31-million, state-of-the-art facility -- to be located on the western edge of the Hattiesburg campus -- will increase the square footage dedicated to the College of Nursing by 135 percent, providing much-needed space for faculty and students and replacing a facility that can no longer meet the requirements of nursing education. The new building is expected to be completed in 2016.

“We are so very thankful to everyone who helped us get where we are today with this important groundbreaking of Asbury Hall,” said University President Rodney D. Bennett. “How exciting it is to offer students an opportunity to learn and thrive in a customized facility that promises such a bright future in nursing education.”

The nursing program's new building will allow for an increase in nursing enrollment from the current 550 students to more than 800 and expand new programs in the College of Nursing through student interactive areas, an enlarged and enhanced clinical simulation lab, computer labs, and classrooms that will promote the acquisition of knowledge in a positive and interactive learning environment.

“What a great, great day for The University of Southern Mississippi, the City of Hattiesburg and the entire state of Mississippi,” said Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves. “What I see here with this groundbreaking is a public and private partnership that will serve as a model for future opportunities of this kind. More importantly, we are investing in a facility in which we know what will happen to the students who graduate from here. Every single person who gets a degree from this program will be able to find a j-o-b.”

Reeves, along with state legislators John Polk and Joey Fillingane were instrumental in helping the University secure $20 million in state appropriations through bond funding for the project. Federal grants totaling approximately $4 million have also been acquired for construction costs.

In January, 2012 the USM Foundation announced an $8 million fundraising campaign to help construct a new facility for the nursing program. The College of Nursing Building Campaign got off to a strong start with a $4 million commitment from the Asbury Foundation of Hattiesburg, a gift that led to the naming of Asbury Hall. To date, the campaign has raised more than $6 million toward the original goal.

For more information about the College of Nursing Building Campaign call 601.266.5210.