Mars Hill University announces groundbreaking for new business facility

During upcoming homecoming festivities, Mars Hill University will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its next building project, a three-story, state -of-the-art complex, designed to hold both classrooms and retail spaces. The public is welcome to the ceremony, which will take place on October 11 at 11 am.

Troy & Pauline Day Hall is the planned future home of Mars Hill’s undergraduate business program, which continues to be the largest department at the university.  In addition to classrooms and laboratories, Day Hall will have space devoted to retail enterprises including the MHU University Bookstore and a cafe. The building also will allow for enhanced accessibility to Owen Theatre and will feature a “black box” theatre. 

Day Hall is named for major donors Troy Day '48 and his wife Pauline, and will sit on the corner of Main Street and College Street in Mars Hill. The structure is due to be complete by summer 2016.

"The groundbreaking for Day Hall represents the fulfillment of many years of plans and ideas," said Dr. Dan Lunsford, president of Mars Hill University. "It is appropriate that this event should be part of homecoming, so that our alumni, as well as members of the public, can participate with us in celebrating the continued growth of Mars Hill University."

According to Lunsford, the building will not only modernize classroom and retail spaces for the campus, but because the building is located on Main Street, Mars Hill, it will essentially change the landscape of the town.

"Day Hall will be a large and attractive structure, which we believe will be a positive addition to downtown Mars Hill," Lunsford said. "Our hope is that it will directly benefit our students, obviously. But also, we expect that this building will bring new energy to the town, as the retail spaces and black box theatre draw both students and members of the public."

After the groundbreaking, participants can view images of the future Troy & Pauline Day Hall in Owen Theatre. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in Peterson Conference Center, in Blackwell Hall.

In October 2013, Mars Hill announced United States Department of Agriculture funding for both Day Hall, and the Ferguson Health Sciences Facility, which will house the university's planned bachelor's of nursing program. Ferguson Health Sciences Facility will sit on the corner of N.C. Hwy 213 and Joe Anderson Drive in Mars Hill. Construction is due to begin on that facility in Spring 2015.