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State Treasurer Fitch Offers Support to New Southern Miss Nursing Building
State Treasurer Lynn Fitch lauded the vision and leadership that helped fuel designs for a new College of Nursing building currently under construction at The University of Southern Mississippi during a visit to the Hattiesburg campus on Thursday, Feb. 19.
Asbury Hall, with an estimated construction cost of $31 million, is on schedule to be completed by May, 2016. The new building will increase the square footage dedicated to the College of Nursing by 135 percent and allow for an increase in nursing enrollment from the current 550 students to more than 800.
“The role of health care in our state and region cannot be understated,” said Fitch. “And facilities such as Asbury Hall will enable The University of Southern Mississippi to educate and train the next generation of nurses who will provide the type of quality health care that will benefit patients in our state and beyond.”
Fitch also took time to explain the bond funding process that played a pivotal role in getting Asbury Hall off the ground. The State Legislature appropriated $20 million in bond funding for the project.
Late last year the State Bond Commission authorized the sale of $157 million tax-exempt bonds (Series 2015A) and $129 million taxable bonds (Series 2015B), and the bonds were priced to sell in the open market on Feb. 3, 2015. The proceeds of the bond sale will allow Mississippi to fund economic development and capital improvement projects through the issuance of these bonds.
“Having the opportunity to fund projects like the University of Southern Mississippi Asbury Hall is vital to our state,” said Fitch. “It is important to manage the long-term state debut in a conservative manner and to be prudent with our state’s finances. Asbury Hall, paid in part by private dollars, is a perfect example of using our resources to ensure Mississippi stays competitive and allow our students to have access to the best schools and universities.”
About The University of Southern Mississippi
Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a proud history and an eye on the future. A dual-campus university, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to five teaching and research sites in Mississippi and through Online at Southern Miss. Since 2006, Southern Miss students have collected seven Goldwater Scholarships, three Truman Scholarships and 10 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. Our Center for Undergraduate Research affords our students meaningful research opportunities, and as a proven leader in innovation, we conduct transformative research that translates into real-world solutions. As one of a select number of institutions in the nation accredited in art, dance, music and theatre, we are a haven for creativity and artistic expression. In the classroom or lab, on the playing field, or in the performance hall, we strive to have a positive impact not only on our students, but also the world around us. Further information is found at www.usm.edu.
