Campus renovations continue
By Aia Andonovska
staff Writer
Brevard has been steadity working toward renovating many areas around
campus. Brevard College President David Joyce shared some insight on
the changes that have been made and the plans for the future of our small
school. “Everything we’re doing, we’re doing with grants,” Joyce said
this past Thursday, Jan. 31. He named the Cannon Foundation as long
time supporters of the college.
According to the president, they have just finished using the first grant
this foundation provided for Brevard. Along with this, retired faculty
member Barbara Boemer recently gave Brevard College a contribution to
go toward a meeting room in the dining hall, or as the president described
it, “A special place to have meals and things.”
Joyce also explained the process of using and applying for grants. Until
the school has used all of the current grant money they have, they can’t
apply for more to help with other renovations.
This past summer, they were putting this grant to use by installing an
induction loop for the hearing impaired in the Porter Center, Dunham
and McLarty-Goodson room 125. MG was almost completely remodeled
before students came back to school with, fresh paint in classrooms, new
technology and updated bathrooms.
Other renovations completed this past summer included cleaning out
the gutters in the villages, updating showers, installing HVAC units and
painting common areas. In the Moore Science building, gutters were
cleaned, windows renovated and walls painted. The bell tower, as most
have probably already noticed, was fixed recently and has been tolling
throughout the day. Beam was repainted in some areas over Christmas
break while students were at home.
During the interview, he called in Juan Mascaro, who is the school’s
vice president of strategy and operations, chief financial officer, as well
as the head women’s soccer coach. Mascaro was able to share valuable
information on the changes that will be taking place. Currently, the school
is in the process of applying for another grant. President Joyce also stated
we’ve already been invited to apply.
So what’s next? The school wants to install new locks and air
conditioning in Beam, HVAC units in MS, more technology in classrooms,
and to paint East Jones. There will be a board meeting in three weeks to
discuss all of these changes. Mascaro and Joyce both explained that their
top priorities currently are safety and security, air conditioning, lighting
and sidewalks.
However, air conditioning will cost a lot of money to be installed. “For
Beam and Jones it would be about a million dollars,” Mascaro shared.
As of right now, they’re focusing on internal things like fixing up boilers,
electrical work, etc. There are plans to fix up the gym and bleachers as well.
According to Mascara, the college did sustain some damage during the
“snowpocalypse” that hit Brevard during Fall 2018 finals. “The greenhouse
next to my house is pretty much done,” Joyce said. There are plans to
rebuild it, however, but nearer to Neely Road.
As for Ross Hall, it’s going to be demolished by fire. As early as next
semester, the plan is to have the fire department come and have a controlled
fire. Ross Hall, located on the other side of campus and near the track
field, is contaminated with asbestos and is not a salvageable building at
this point. Joyce did not divulge what will be done with the land Ross
Hall is currently on. “I have some ideas,” Joyce said, “It’s a surprise.”
When the board meets in three weeks, they will discuss what needs to
be done first and how to pay for it. “We have to prioritize,” Joyce said.
Ideas will be presented to the board, and then the next steps toward making
a decision on what can be done will be discussed. “We want this place
changing every year,” Joyce said.
“Everything we looked at so far, touches a student in some way,”
said Barbara Hulsey, who is chair of the board. Hulsey graduated from
Brevard in ’75. “That’s what the board said,” she continued, “It has to
be for the students.”
Tornados can be on the lookout for exciting, upcoming renovations to
campus!
Super Bowl snooze
By Bry’Kendrick Moore
staff Writer
For neutrals. Super Bowl LIII was underwhelming to say the least. For
the most part it didn’t really feel like Super Bowl Sunday.
On paper we had two of the best offenses in the league competing, but
they didn’t show until the 4th quarter. The game was played with special
teams.
Through the first half of play the game had only seen 3 points put up by
the Patriots. In the end looking at the stats both teams were going through
a rough patch offensively.
The very first drive of the game for the Patriots resulted in an interception.
Followed by a few more three and outs. Outside of the game the two most
important things every year attempted to inject some excitement in the
scene, the halftime show and the commercials.
This year's halftime show was a weird one for those who managed to
sit through it. It didn’t carry the same feeling as performances of years
past. Maroon 5 felt out of place singing a lot of classic hits.
Travis Scott did a decent job. Being an autotune rapper the vocals could
have been better, but they also could have been worse.
See 'Super Bowl' on page 6