Freed-Hardeman unveils newly-renovated auditorium
HENDERSON, Tenn. — Renovations for the auditorium on Freed-Hardeman University‘s campus have completed and students were welcomed to see it Monday morning.
It was a wonderful day for students, faculty, and staff and anyone involved with Freed-Hardeman, as Monday marked the first day where everyone was able to come in and enjoy their newly renovated auditorium.
SEE ALSO: Renovations begin on FHU’s Loyd Auditorium (5/16/24)
We were able to speak with Vice President of Student Services, TJ Kirk, about what is going on.
“Today is the very first day of Chapel back in our auditorium,” Kirk said. “Once known as Loyd, now known as Dryden Auditorium, and we’re very excited. It’s not just the same old building. It’s brand new on the inside. We’ve got new lighting, we’ve got an LED screen, we’ve got sound, we’ve got new seats. You name [it], we’ve touched it up and made it better and hopefully our students appreciate it.”
While the renovations for the auditorium were underway, they had to change Chapel a little bit and go to different places around campus. The tradition of the whole student body coming together under one roof every single weekday is important to the culture of Freed-Hardeman University. They are now getting that back.
“It’s the sense of community,” said Kirk. “You know, for a while that was missing, being that we had some split chapels and had to do some different things because of limitations of space. But now we have it back. We’re able to be with our friends again, we’re able to praise God together again, we’re able to get all the announcements and news that we need for campus events. So now we’re back together and that sense of community has returned.”
The completion of these renovations happened at a perfect time because, very soon, there’s going to be tons of events that are happening that will bring literally thousands of people to FHU’s campus and the auditorium.
“We’ve got the lectureship coming up, we’ve got Makin’ Music coming up, we’ve got graduations that will be held in here both the University and Chester County, and so this place is going to get used quite a bit,” Kirk said.
Kirk says that it was a very powerful moment when all of the students came in for the first time. He also told us that everyone missed this auditorium and that they are incredibly grateful to have it back.
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