November 01, 2000

WKU Dedicates Hall For Former President Thomas Meredith

Bowling Green, Ky. - "Wow."

That was the reaction of former Western Kentucky University President Thomas C. Meredith as Western dedicated a residence hall in his honor on Wednesday.

Standing before family, friends and former and current colleagues, Dr. Meredith watched as the covering fell, revealing the lettering officially renaming New Sorority Hall as Meredith Hall.

"There are no adequate words to express the appreciation that I feel at this moment," he said. "To be honored in this way is particularly meaningful since I'm alive to see it."

Dr. Meredith served as Western's eighth president from 1988 to 1997. He left WKU in 1997 after being elected the fourth chancellor of the University of Alabama System.

"One of the things that made being president overwhelmingly worthwhile was the association with the fantastic students at Western Kentucky," he said. "There are none better anywhere."

"My name on this building is simply a recognition of all the wonderful students, faculty and staff who worked so hard to make our administration successful," he continued. "So although my name is up there, I'm simply carrying the ball for you and I'm the one once again getting the recognition for all of your hard work, and I thank you for that."

Western President Gary Ransdell said the ceremony was "one of those special moments when a university takes the time to appreciate those who have created its image, its strengths and sustained its future."

Regent Peggy Loafman of Bowling Green, a former board chairwoman, cited many of the accomplishments of the Meredith administration. Those included development of the University's first two strategic plans, establishment of the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame, renovation of Potter Hall into a student services center and the creation of Diddle Park.

Regent Earl Fischer of Texas said Dr. Meredith led the University through a period of major state-mandated budget cuts and was still able to increase the University's financial reserves. "He always made decisions based on what he felt was best for this institution, not for his personal or professional gain," Fischer said.

"Tom made sure there were no walls built around this University as he set the example of volunteerism off campus by serving on chamber boards both locally and on a statewide basis," he added.

Student Regent Cassie Martin of Glasgow said, "On behalf of the students of Western Kentucky University, thank you, Dr. Meredith, for your many contributions and for being a friend of the students."

A native of Owensboro, Dr. Meredith earned his bachelor's degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College, his master's from Western and his doctorate in administration and supervision from the University of Mississippi. He and his wife, Susan, are parents of two sons, Mark and Matthew, both graduates of the University of Mississippi and Bowling Green High School.

The University of Alabama System includes the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

The UA System has a combined enrollment of more than 40,000 with an annual budget of $1.5 billion.

Meredith Hall is one of two residence halls constructed at Western during the 1991-92 academic year. The three-story facility houses members of Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Delta Pi, Phi Mu and Chi Omega sororities.

The hall consists of 55,218 square feet and was built at a cost of $3.8 million. It has 88 double-occupancy rooms, six resident assistant rooms and one apartment for the hall director with a total occupancy of 182.

The building also has four sorority chapter meeting rooms, with kitchen areas and restroom facilities. There is also a computer room, vending area and laundry room on the first floor and study rooms and kitchens on each floor.

Western's Board of Regents approved the resolution naming Meredith Hall on August 3, 2000.

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