HENDERSONVILLE — Union University dedicated its new facility on Indian Lake Boulevard here with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 2.
The 26,000-square-foot facility includes seven general purpose classrooms, an academic commons, six-station nursing simulation lab, three additional specialized nursing labs, offices for all academic and administrative areas, two conference rooms, a testing center and expansion space for new academic programs.
It is the first permanent university presence in Hendersonville and Sumner County.
Union University President David S. Dockery thanked everyone present for all the partnerships it took so “the Christ-centered message of Union University” can be advanced in Hendersonville and surrounding Sumner County. “It’s going to be exciting to watch this campus,” Dockery said.
Dockery related that the expansion process began four years ago. “At that time it seemed like a distant dream,” he recalled. “Now, we look forward to having a permanent presence in Hendersonville.” Dockery told those attending the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony that the new building “is as fine an educational facility as you will find in the state. It is equal to what is on the Jackson campus as well as any other campus.”
During the brief program, Dockery cited the contributions of many people, but especially Union benefactor and Union Foundation board member Jim Ayers of Nashville, and his wife, Janet. Ayers developed the project for the university through his affiliate Ayers Asset Management.
To honor their contributions, the building will be known as Ayers Hall, Dockery said.
During his remarks, Dockery stressed that Union is committed “to serving churches in Middle Tennessee with this facility.”
Prior to the opening of the new campus, Union University has been housed at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, since opening its doors in 2008.
Enrollment for the fall semester is expected to be about 220 students, twice the enrollment from the last academic year.
The campus offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in education, nursing, theology and missions and continuing studies.
