Saints Hall now operated by LBWCC
July 01, 2019
LBW Community College’s Saints Hall student housing, built in 2013 by the LBWCC Foundation, is now under new management.
“With the approval of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, the College recently entered a long-term lease of Saints Hall with the LBWCC Foundation,” said LBWCC President Dr. Herb Riedel.
“The Foundation Board enthusiastically supports the Lease Agreement,” said LBWCC Foundation President Wayne Bennett. “We believe that College personnel, because of their daily interactions with the student residents of Saints Hall, are better able to provide quality services and be quickly responsive to students’ needs. The Foundation, as owner of Saints Hall, will continue to foster a great relationship with the College going forward.”
This two-building complex serves students attending classes in Andalusia or Opp, and proves to be an asset in recruiting students from outside the five-county market area, he said.
“This is one example of how a foundation can make a lasting impact for a college in ways other than providing scholarships for students,” said LBWCC President Dr. Herb Riedel.
The collaborative effort of the College, Foundation, and city, county, state, and federal government leaders in the creation of Saints Hall gained national attention in January 2014 by the College being named a Bellwether Finalist. The project was highlighted during the Community College Futures Assembly, sponsored by the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Florida, which focuses on cutting-edge, trendsetting programs that other colleges might find worthy of replicating.
“We are more than grateful for the outstanding leadership of the LBWCC Foundation through the years, the ultimate decision to build the apartments, and the support and opportunities provided to students through student housing for the past several years.”
The College now manages all aspects of student housing applications, lease agreements, and property management, he said.
“This agreement provides the College an important revenue stream and, at the end of the lease when the loan is paid, LBWCC has the option to purchase the apartment complex at a nominal cost, thereby gaining a valuable capital asset.”
For information about Saints Hall, contact Amanda Jernigan at 334.488.8882.