Tigerville Welcomes New Educational Facility
Tigerville — North Greenville University recently celebrated a significant milestone with the opening of the new Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on April 12, marking the completion of the project that cost $10.4 million. This new building, which stands on the university’s campus, represents a complete renovation of the historical Donnan Administration Building.
A Modern Space for Learning
The renovation process began in 2021 and transformed the old structure into a modern facility that features state-of-the-art classrooms, designated faculty offices, and collaboration spaces for students. University officials emphasized that this new space is specifically designed to support the college of business and entrepreneurship, which serves over 500 students out of the university’s total enrollment of about 2,200.
Building Highlights
According to Gene Fant Jr., the university president, one of the standout features of the building is the stunning panoramic mountain views. “There’s 180-degree mountain views on each side of the building,” Fant noted. “It’s a beautiful place. We wanted excellent facilities to represent our excellent students and faculty.”
The design of the building also incorporates local materials, including wood sourced from trees on campus for the furniture, adding a personal touch to the overall aesthetic. Notably, the building retains a 50-year-old table in its offices, which has historical significance as it was used during trustee meetings.
Support from the Robert W. Plaster Foundation
This new facility is named after the Robert W. Plaster Foundation, which is renowned for funding projects across various universities focused on promoting free enterprise values. The foundation has also supported similar projects at other institutions like Southwest Baptist University and Missouri State University. This alignment with the foundation’s mission highlights the university’s commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among its students.
Looking Ahead
Since the building opened its doors a few months ago, students have started utilizing its spaces for various activities. Faculty members are excited about the collaborative opportunities the new building will provide, as they strive to enhance the educational experience for all students.
As of now, students and staff are adjusting to their new surroundings and are optimistic about the potential of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center to inspire innovation and entrepreneurship among future leaders.
Weather Update
Meanwhile, the weather in the Tigerville area is expected to bring cloudy skies with a high of 88°F and light winds coming from the east at 10 to 15 mph. The forecast also indicates that temperatures will drop to a low of 72°F overnight, continuing with light winds from the east-northeast.
Residents are also advised to stay tuned for updates regarding Tropical Storm Debby, which might bring some rainfall to the Upstate area later this week. However, officials believe that the risk of flash flooding will remain marginal, as most of the storm’s heavier impacts will bypass the local area.
As the university begins to make full use of its new center, it stands as a testament to the commitment of North Greenville University to providing quality education through excellent facilities.
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
