Story and photos by Greg Miley, Speakin’ Out News staff writer and photographer
Alabama A&M University (AAMU) held two ribbon-cutting events on Thursday, November 17, 2022, for their new Welcome Center and Friday, November 18, 2022, for their new Event Center; both events started at 11:00 a.m. University administrators joined city and state leaders, students, faculty, staff, and alums to welcome AAMU’s two newly constructed buildings.
The $7.6 million Welcome Center is located at Meridian Street and Chase Road intersection. The center will house the AAMU Office of Admissions, retail space,Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and meeting rooms. It will serve as the “front door” to the AAMU campus, providing a one-stop shop for student-related functions and information.
The 135,000-square-foot Event Center is located on North Memorial Parkway, near Louis Crews Stadium on the AAMU campus. The Event Center will be the home for the AAMU men’s and women’s basketball teams and the women’s volleyball team; the 6,000- seat arena will host various events, including graduations and other similar events.
The opening of the Welcome and Event Centers ended its construction under President Emeritus Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr. Both facilities are a welcome addition to the AAMU campus, ‘The Hill.’ Dr. and Mrs. Hugine were present for both ribbons cutting. Dr. Daniel K. Wims is the 12th and current President of AAMU.