February 2, 2009 |

Tougaloo College is undergoing a major facelift. Under the guidance of Kelle E. Menogan, Sr., Vice President for Facilities and Real Property Management, there are several renovations and new construction projects underway.

The college has secured funds to complete the restoration of the Robert O. Wilder Building, also known as “The Mansion,” as well as money to perform a complete renovation of Warren Hall, which will include a new addition, as well as upgraded dining and book store facilities. New construction will include the Bennie G. Thompson Academic Center of Excellence, which will include lecture halls and an art gallery. Brownlee Hall, which at one point was to be renovated, will now be razed.

In addition to the campus projects, Tougaloo is the official site for the National Civil Rights Museum in Mississippi. It is set to be constructed on property owned by Tougaloo that is adjacent to the campus. No word yet when this $80 million dollar project is slated to begin.

Kelle E. Menogan, Sr., Vice President of Facilities and Real Property Management, says the restoration of the Mansion presently underway will take two years to complete. He said the $7.5 million renovation of Warren Hall will start in the spring of 2009 and will take approximately 18 months to complete. Construction on the Bennie G. Thompson Academic Center of Excellence will also begin in March, 2009.

Tougaloo isn’t a state school but the college has been successful at raising the money needed for these capital improvements. "Raising money for facility and infrastructure upgrades is some of the most difficult money to raise,” Menogan said. "We have a campus master plan that identifies the facility improvements that we would like to make and once completed these capital projects will definitely have a positive impact on the overall campus environment."

Just as important as the campus renovation is the fact that the College will now have room for its art collection. The 2,000 piece collection includes African and African-American art, as well as European works. Most of the collection has been in storage for over a decade and one person in particular is ecstatic that the collection will see the light once again. “I feel like it’s Christmas, like everyday is a celebration,” said Johnnie Gilbert, who chairs the art department. “This is sure to be a stepping-stone towards greater things at Tougaloo. I feel that this is a sign of growth and maybe one day we can make the transition to possibly a school for the performing arts here at Tougaloo. The idea of a school for the performing arts doesn’t sound farfetched with all the new changes in the works.”

Students and staff are overwhelmingly pleased about the coming changes. “I think it’s a good idea to restore the historic buildings on campus. It will be great to see them returned to their original quality,” said Aireiun Binion, a senior sociology major from Chicago.

If you would like to contact Kelle Menogan: