Buildings and History

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  • Academic Facilities

    E. F. Averyt / Paul and Mildred Wood Learning Center, original building erected in 1973–74, houses the Hester Memorial Library, the Miller Bible Museum, the college archives, and the Art Department with a twelve classroom annex constructed in 1998–99. At the heart of the center and of the academic program at North Greenville University is the Hester Memorial Library. The library’s collections include over 60,000 volumes of print books and over 250,000 volumes of e-books and access to over 8000 full-text journal titles, 21,000 academic videos, and 117,000 music recordings. The Miller Bible Museum contains a collection of rare printed Bibles, language Bibles, and artifacts that illustrate the historical development of the written Word of God. The Writing Center and Language Lab are housed in the basement of the building.

    Billingsley Theatre is a 250 seat flexible (black box) performing arts venue. Seating can be arranged in a variety of patterns, including proscenium, thrust, and arena. The Billingsley has a spacious lobby and concession stand, dressing rooms and scenery staging dock, and a tension wire grid over the entire space. NGU theatre majors operate every aspect of the theatre under the direction of the faculty and a full-time technical director.

    Craft-Hemphill Center for Apologetics and Christian Worldview, completed in August 2011, provides the University with a physical, high-tech “training and sending hub” where students will be trained and commissioned to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the street and around the world. With its focus on evangelism, missions, and Christian Worldview, the Center provides students with a variety of high-tech communication options with those serving on the mission field. The Center for Church Revitalization serves as a training center for reigniting the ministry and increasing the effectiveness of existing churches. The Center for Apologetics and Christian Worldview provides resources to help students on and off-campus to possess and express a comprehensive Christian Worldview. The Center includes nine offices, four classrooms, three resource rooms, a conference room, and a 150 seat multi-purpose auditorium.

    Crain Science Building is a two-story structure completed in 1962 and houses classrooms and laboratories for chemistry, physical science, biology, physics, math, and elementary education. This building is named for Dr. J. Dean Crain, former principal of the academy.

    Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, erected in 1954–55, stands in the center of campus. It contains the College of Business and Entrepreneurship and administrative offices. Renovations were completed in early 2024.

    Foster Education Center opened in 1965 as a functional air-conditioned student activities building. It contained game rooms, conference rooms, lounges, and a snack bar. The building is named for A.J. Foster of Columbia, South Carolina. The building was renovated for use by the College of Education and other academic programs in 2005.

    Neves Academic Hall, located west of the administration building, is a memorial to B.F. Neves, who gave the original site for the school. The original part of this building was erected in 1943, and new wings were built in 1973. A second addition was completed in 1996. This addition provided extra dining space for 150 people, which increased seating capacity by 50 percent. Paul J. and Mildred M. Wood of Tigerville funded the second addition. In 2006–07, the building was renovated and converted to an academic building with faculty offices and classrooms. In 2020, a major renovation transformed the main floor into the home for NGU’s Student Services Division, including NGUcentral, which provides financial aid, student accounts and academic records services.

    White Hall, the oldest building on campus, was named in honor of the Rev. L.B. White. It was renovated in 1992 and now houses faculty offices.

  • Worship & Fine Arts Centers

    The Joe Frank and Eleanor Hayes Christian Fine Arts Center, completed in 2001, provides studios, classrooms, choir room, music library, band rehearsal hall, and the Hamlin Recital Hall. Joe and Eleanor Hayes, Dan and Martha Boling, and other friends and alumni of the university-funded the center.

    The Carolyn Gillespie Hamlin Recital Hall is a distinguished 250-seat facility located within the Joe Frank and Eleanor Hayes Christian Fine Arts building at North Greenville University. This esteemed recital hall is named in honor of Carolyn Hamlin, a highly accomplished composer, arranger, and organist who proudly graduated from North Greenville University.

    As a hub of artistic excellence, the Carolyn Gillespie Hamlin Recital Hall serves as a captivating venue for students, faculty, and renowned artists to showcase their talents and share the beauty of music with the university community and beyond. With its intimate seating arrangement and impeccable acoustics, the hall provides an immersive and unforgettable experience for all attendees.

    Carolyn Hamlin’s exceptional dedication to her craft and her significant contributions to the music industry serve as an inspiration to aspiring musicians and artists alike. The naming of the Hamlin Recital Hall is a testament to North Greenville University’s recognition of her outstanding achievements.

    Whether it hosts captivating solo performances, ensemble concerts, or engaging lectures, the Carolyn Gillespie Hamlin Recital Hall creates a platform for artistic expression and cultural enrichment, fostering a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere within the Hayes Christian Fine Arts center.

    Joe Frank and Eleanor Hayes Ministry Center, erected in 1996, houses the Paul E. Moore Hall, the William F. Bishop, and the Thomas C. “Nap” Vandiver Suites sponsored by Carolina First Bank, which accommodates Admissions and Financial Aid. Laura Wood Messer gave a carillon in loving memory of her mother, Helen Roberts Wood, beloved wife of T. Pralo Wood. Hymns are played from the top of the center and can be enjoyed for miles by the Tigerville community. The center was funded by Joe F. and Eleanor Hayes, family and friends of Paul E. Moore, the South Carolina Baptist Convention in honor of William F. Bishop, and Carolina First Bank in honor of “Nap” Vandiver.

    Eddie Runion Creative Arts Center was previously the old Roe General Store and was renovated by funding from Kathy Runion Varner and her family in memory of Eddie Runion. It was formerly the home of a TD Bank branch and Einstein Bros. Bagels, but it now houses the Office of University Marketing. It also provides space for the Art Department.

    The School of Theatre Building, the former Tigerville Elementary School building, was moved from its original location in 2006. The building was renovated for academics and houses the Department of Theatre.

    The Studio at ‘Ole 414 was built in 2008 and housed ceramic and sculpture classes and gallery for the creative art degree program. Zelda Rosti funded the building in memory of her husband Earl K. Rosti.

    Turner Chapel and Music Building, erected in 1957-58, provides studios and practice rooms for music students. The chapel will seat approximately 2,060 and fills a great need in the life of the university, especially for regular chapel services, theatre productions, and commencement activities. The chapel is named in honor of R. P. Turner of Greer, a benefactor, and friend of the university. A lobby, restrooms, and additional seating were added in 1998. A second expansion to accommodate additional seating, eight stained glass windows, and the installation of the N. Q. and Martha M. Cline Pipe Organ was completed in 2001.

  • Student & University Services Facilities

    Dr. Barbara McCormick House. The two-story white home on N. Tigerville Road was built by the John Wood family and named in honor of Dr. Barbara McCormick, class of 1955, for her dedicated service to her alma mater. The home was previously used by the North Greenville University Office of University Marketing and the Office of Communication. The house is currently occupied by the Office of Advancement and University Engagement.

    Elton and Doris Todd Dining Hall/Jack and Deborah Tingle Student Life Center was completed in 2005. This 52,000 sq. ft. facility seats 1,200 students for dining and includes the Edna Hartness Presidential Dining Room on the upper level. The lower level is the Student Life Center which houses the Chick-fil-A, The 1892 Place, the George Bomar Mass Communication Department, and the Neb Cline Office Suite for Office of Campus Ministries and Student Engagement. Also, the Cline Suite includes the Patt McCaskill Fero music and conference room.

    Wood’s General Store has been operating since 1881. When it first opened, it was Tigerville’s first post office and was run by Lemuel Jenning. The store then passed into the hands of the Wood family. It was eventually called the T.P. Wood Store and was run by Thornton Pralo Wood ran the store with his wife Helen and son Willie. When Wood died in 1995, his son closed the store and post office in 1996. The store was purchased by North Greenville University and was restored and is now known as Wood’s General Store. The store now functions as a shop for NGU gear such as: apparel, stickers, water bottles, mugs, and more. It also houses the Helen R. Wood Post Office, the hub for all NGU mailing, and serves as the pickup location for books ordered through Slingshot.

    Cothran Maintenance Building, named for Grange Cothran, former director of college properties, was completed in 1974 and houses the mechanical workshop, electrical supplies, other maintenance equipment, and supplies, utility rooms, and office space.

    Cooper Apartments and the Office of Campus Safety and Security is used for campus security and housekeeping offices. This facility is named in honor of Harlee Cooper, who served the college as a teacher for many years.

  • Athletics Facilities

    North Greenville University’s athletic complex includes the Melvin & Dollie Younts Stadium, Fogle Field surrounded by a 3,500 seat football stadium, Hewlett and Lucile Sullivan President’s Box, Mitchell visitor’s center, Hendrix field house and Pepsi soccer stadium which was completed in fall of 2005. The athletic complex upon completion will include two football practice fields, two soccer fields, four softball diamonds, and twelve tennis courts.

    The Joe F. Hayes Gymnasium, named for a trustee and businessman from Travelers Rest, was erected in 1950 to provide facilities for physical education classes and is the center of the athletic program. It was completely remodeled in 1976, and the seating for athletic contests was increased.

    Forrest M. and Marie H. Younts Fitness and Wellness Center, named in memory of the parents of Melvin K. Younts of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, was constructed in 1989. The building housed the Ralph Hendricks office suite for the coaching staff, weight room, and fitness and wellness equipment.

    Vance Tennis Complex North Greenville University takes another giant step in completing its athletics master plan in 2014. On Friday, September 19, the school held a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the Vance Tennis Complex. Although the funds raised for this facility came from multiple donors, the lead naming gift came from the family of Vance and Theda Shreckengast from Florida. The Vance Tennis Complex features twelve tennis courts and a 1,600 square-foot clubhouse to house dressing rooms for the NGU men’s and women’s tennis teams, coaches’ offices, public restrooms, and concessions.

    The Jan McDonald softball field was made possible by the generous donations of the Gary Glenn family. Gary Glenn is a University trustee and athletics benefactor from Travelers Rest. The new softball field was named in honor of Jan McDonald, the long-time athletic director, and former head softball coach.

    The Angie and Sam Kelly Strength and Conditioning Center was made possible by Angie and Sam Kelly and by the SAM group. The Center is 5,000-square feet and is located in the Athletic Complex. It is designed to accommodate weight and Strength training for all Crusader student-athletes.

    Ralph and Marion Hendricks Athletic Center was constructed in 2005, along with Younts Stadium. Hendricks, as it is known by most, is the hub of the North Greenville University Athletic Department, housing the office of the Athletic Director, as well as the offices of the NGU Football coaching staff. Also contained within Hendricks Athletic Center are the athletic training room, the football locker rooms, and the Letterman’s Lounge, which hosts press conferences, booster club events, and other functions. Upstairs, Hendricks houses a weight room for student-athletes, as well as the office of the North Greenville strength and condition coordinator.

    Built in 1984, Ray and Bea Dillard Field at Ashmore Park is one of only two athletic facilities to still be located on the main North Greenville campus, rather than the Athletic Complex on Highway 414. Dillard Field underwent a significant upgrade in 2018 when the field was replaced with a Sports Turf premier playing surface. The field is currently the only all-turf baseball field at the collegiate level in South Carolina.

    In 2019, work began on the George Bomar Family Stadium, which features a President’s Box suite, hospitality/media rooms, restrooms, concession stand, entry plaza, and a 300-seat stadium structure directly behind home plate. Construction was completed in early 2020, just in time for the beginning of the baseball season. 

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North Greenville University (NGU) admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.