CSU Press Release
COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES NEW HOME
67,000 Square Foot Building Showcased at "Grand Opening" Event
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ORANGE BEACH, AL – Today Columbia Southern University (CSU) employees, public officials, local business leaders, students, and alumni celebrated the grand opening of the school’s new 67,000 square foot Orange Beach home. Students from all over the world also participated by watching over the Internet through live streaming video. The event opened with remarks from CSU President Robert Mayes, City of Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon, and Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce President Mark Berson.
"This is one of the most exciting days we've ever experienced at Columbia Southern University," said CSU President Robert Mayes. "We are proud to be joined by public officials, local business leaders, and residents who have all come out to demonstrate their support during this milestone event."
After a joint ribbon cutting performed by the Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, grand opening guests were invited inside for refreshments and public tours. As tour guides led visitors through the building, staff from each department served as greeters to offer information such as the total number of employees, main functions, and statistics. The halls were lined with framed posters featuring quotes from CSU students around the world.
With a record enrollment of more than 16,000 students and at least 25,000 expected by 2010, CSU quickly outgrew its previous 17,000 square foot building. This year, CSU surpassed more than 200 employees forcing in-house faculty and staff to occupy additional facilities in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. The new building is large enough to house all CSU departments with further room for growth.
Construction began in December 2007 on a 20 acre plot of land purchased in Orange Beach, Alabama. The additional acreage provides future expansion opportunities without forcing CSU to relocate. CSU will occupy the first two floors by January 2009 and once the third floor is completed, 360 work stations and 65 offices will be available. The facility features a training room, conference rooms, break rooms, fitness center, balconies, shipping and mailing area with a loading dock, and more.
A first floor conference room and classroom are available for public use on an as available basis. The classroom can accommodate roughly 250 people theater style and 50 people theater style in the conference room.
White-Spunner Construction President Mike Fitzgerald, Liberty Church Pastor Buford Lipscomb, Congressman Jo Bonner's District Representative Bryan Parker, and representatives from both the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce also attended the event.
Constructed by White-Spunner Construction, Inc., the university's new home is located two miles south of County Road 12, just off the Foley Beach Express and north of The Columns at Orange Beach Apartments.