Southern University has officially kicked off construction on a new amphitheater and outdoor classroom at its Baton Rouge campus, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony attended by university officials and community leaders. The U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund supported the $1.7 million project. The campus additions aim to provide a safe, open-air gathering space along the banks of the Mississippi River.
A Design Inspired By History
This innovative facility, developed in partnership with the Luster Group, was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic to enable students and faculty to continue learning outdoors. The the shape of the historic campus bell housed inside the John B. Cade Library inspired the unique design of the amphitheater and classroom.
“It represents the shape of the bell that our enslaved ancestors rang every morning to start the day when this was a plantation. And now this is a place and a beacon of hope,” said SU Chancellor John Pierre.
Students enrolled in Southern’s new construction management program will participate in the project, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Once completed, the amphitheater will accommodate up to 1,500 people. It will provide a versatile venue for academic classes, community events, and more.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Dennis J. Shields, president of the Southern University System, emphasized the significance of the project. “This is only a start of some of the remarkable transformations that will take place on this campus that most importantly will have a significant impact on the experience that students have here,” said Shields.
Chancellor Pierre expressed excitement about the project’s potential benefits. “The community can have outdoor activities, that they will be able to enjoy the peacefulness of the river and the view of the Bluff and this will add to the communiversity feel of Southern University.”
Construction is expected to be completed within a year.
