Public Gala Sept. 16 Will Mark Opening of U of M's New Millington Center
For release: September 9, 2004
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey

The University of Memphis and the city of Millington will formally open Phase I of the University's new Millington Center with a public celebration at noon Thursday, Sept. 16. The event will take place at Willis Hall behind the former hospital at Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington.

Participants will include Dr. Shirley C. Raines, president of the University of Memphis; Charles Lee, U of M vice president for Business and Finance; Millington Mayor George R. Harvell Jr.; Capt. Helen Dunn, commander of the Naval Support Activity Mid-South; and U.S. Rep. John Tanner, who represents Millington in Congress. The Memphis Brass Quintet will provide entertainment.

The University acquired the 38-acre property in December 2002 with assistance from Rep. Tanner. With a $2.9 million grant from the University of Memphis Foundation and support from the Tennessee Board of Regents, the U of M has been renovating Willis Hall, which houses 12,000 square feet of classroom space and computer labs.

The project's second phase, which will include renovation of 40,000 square feet of the main floor of the old Navy hospital, will open at a later date.

Classes at Willis Hall began in May; about 660 students are currently enrolled. After all phases of renovation are complete, the U of M can accommodate 700-1,000 students in Willis Hall and up to 4,000 at the Millington Center.

For more information about the event, call 678-5582.

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