OXFORD, Miss. – After months of dust, delays and construction, the
eight-story addition to the Inn at Ole Miss hosted its first party
Friday evening, complete with dinner, dancing and good ole rock ‘n’
roll.
The new landmark on the University of Mississippi campus was dedicated
at a 6 p.m. ceremony and reception. Donors to the expansion project who
have made gifts of $100 or more were invited to the festivities that
followed, including a catered buffet dinner and reception.
“We are exceedingly thankful to the donors who made this expansion campaign possible,” said Tim Walsh, interim Alumni Association executive director. “We are excited to be able to provide our guests and the local community with a large, elegant ballroom complete with state-of-the-art audio visual systems. As the media headquarters for the presidential debate, we look forward to showing off our wonderful new facility to the world.”
The Bouffants, a popular party band from Memphis, headlined the entertainment at the donor reception in the hotel’s new Gertrude C. Ford Ballroom.
The tower section includes 38 two-room suites, 11 larger special suites, a new hotel entrance and porte-cochere, and a new lobby/great room. Other aspects of the hotel’s expansion include the 5,600-square-foot ballroom, a cafe and multiple meeting rooms.
The Alumni Association broke ground on the project in August 2006 after nearly a year of planning and fundraising.
“Ole Miss’ reputation as a great American public university is spreading,” said David Brevard, 1999-2000 Alumni Association president. “Excellence is spreading in every aspect of the campus. We felt that we needed a hotel that exhibits this standard and is comparable to the other buildings on campus. We felt we needed a hotel that is reflective of our university, one that will help strengthen our relationship with everyone who uses The Inn at Ole Miss.”
Based on advice of consultants and a 2003 feasibility study, renovation of the hotel was validated. Built in 1951 as the Alumni House, The original hotel had additions in 1954 and 1968 and was renovated in 1996.
“The executive committee of the Alumni Association embraced the goal of having a hotel that meets the standards of a great university, and deemed the dream to renovate the hotel worthy,” Brevard said.
Though the expanded hotel soon will be open for business, much remains to be done. Completion of the tower and ballroom were part of Phase I of a three-part project.
Current office space in the hotel is to be converted to a business center that offers workstations with high speed Internet access and the ability to print documents for hotel guests. High speed wireless access also is available to guests and is accessible from the entire hotel.
Phase II includes converting the existing hotel lobby and porte-cochere into a fitness center. Phase II also includes adding a pitched, metal roof to the existing hotel to match the Triplett Alumni Center and new tower.
Every suite in the new hotel tower has been sponsored, and only two rooms remain available for sponsorship in the original inn. Rooms can be sponsored with a tax deductible gift of $55,000, which may be contributed over time, if needed. The campaign has garnered more than $16.5 million in gifts and pledges.
Donors not interested in a room sponsorship can choose from other naming opportunities by sponsoring patios, benches, chandeliers or alumni bricks.
Individuals or organizations can learn more about naming opportunities and tax deductible contributions to The Inn at Ole Miss by contacting Walsh at 662 915 7375, tim@olemiss.edu or by visiting the Ole Miss Alumni Association Web site at http://www.olemissalumni.com .