MSU to Break Ground on New Baptist Student Union

STARKVILLE, Miss.–Mississippi State University students will find relief from the Baptist Student Union’s growing pains when they break ground Oct. 7 on a multimillion-dollar building, located closer to the center of campus.

Michael Ball said space challenges have existed all 14 years he has served as the campus BSU director.

“BSU activities and involvement always followed the growth in student numbers,” he said. “The current building was built in 1961 when student enrollment was 5,575. We expanded while I was a student here in 1984 when enrollment was 12,325. Today, enrollment exceeds 20,000.”

The current building is located at 283 East Lee Boulevard, across the street from the Campus Book Mart and the Wesley Foundation. The new BSU building will be located just south of its 53-year-old home on the green space near the former location of Hamlin Hall, a residence hall torn down in 2004. The new building will be the largest BSU in the Southern Baptist Convention.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7. In addition to Ball, participants scheduled for the event include MSU President Mark Keenum, Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board Executive Director Jim Futral, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board Associate Executive Director Barri Shirley and Mississippi Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director Weaver McCracken.

“This is a day we have prayed for and dreamed about for many years,” Ball said. “Our progress reflects the commitment MSU students and Mississippi Baptists have for reaching this campus for Christ. Our goal has always been to know Christ and to make Him known.”

June Scoggins, associate BSU director, said a celebration of the current building and the Mississippi State BSU ministry will take place the weekend of MSU Homecoming on Nov. 8.

“Since the beginning of BSU ministry in the 1930s to present, many students’ lives have been touched and changed through this ministry,” she said. “Students have come to know Christ as Savior, others have been led to pursue a call to ministry or missions, and countless students have grown in their Christian faith as a result of this important ministry and the spiritual growth opportunities offered.”

William H. Perkins with the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board said Ball is one of the best BSU leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention.

“Michael has a very ambitious agenda every week for the students. He’s looking to get even more ambitious in the new building,” Perkins added.

Scoggins said as part of the homecoming celebration, an open house will take place in the current building from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 7, and the traditional homecoming meal will take place before the Saturday game. The luncheon time will be posted after game time is announced. She encouraged BSU alumni and friends to post favorite memories and to monitor the BSU website for more information at http://www.msubsu.com.