William Carey University took another step toward complete tornado recovery with the dedication Oct. 23 of Asbury Academic Building.
In January 2017, an EF3 tornado swept through WCU’s Hattiesburg campus. Every building but one sustained heavy damage. Six buildings were destroyed or damaged so badly they had to be demolished. In the 18 months since then, WCU has been steadily re-building.
“The Asbury Foundation has been a longtime supporter of William Carey. After the tornado, they came forward with a very generous gift which made this building possible,” WCU President Dr. Tommy King said.
Dr. Bill Ray, president of the Asbury Foundation, said he was blessed to be able to help.
“Asbury has had a fondness for William Carey, and for our community, and for Hattiesburg in general for a long time. For some of you who don’t know, the Asbury Foundation was created after we sold Methodist Hospital in 1997,” Ray said.
“Somebody asked me one day, do you miss health care and running hospitals? No, I said, it’s a lot easier to give money away than it is to make it. As I look at the campus with all the new additions, and see what it’s been able to accomplish academically, I can say it’s a real blessing to our state. I appreciate William Carey and this community appreciates Carey.”
Landry Lewis Germany Architects was commended for the design of the building and general contractor Hanco Corporation for its construction. Dr. Scott Hummel, WCU provost, added a message of thanks for the people who work and study at William Carey.
The final construction project in WCU’s tornado recovery is new Tatum Court, set to open this winter at the Hattiesburg campus.
