NGU to Renovate Howard Hall, Create Community Space
Posted on: November 2, 2026
Tigerville, SC—North Greenville University (NGU) will soon launch a major renovation project at Howard Hall, the school’s second-oldest dorm on its Tigerville campus.
“Howard Hall has long been a symbol of the strong sense of community that defines North Greenville, and this project will build on that tradition,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “This unique renovation will provide much-needed living space while enhancing opportunities for students to connect, gather, and build meaningful relationships on our campus.”
Dedicated in 1964, Howard Hall carries the name of Dr. Henry J. Howard, who began serving as the school’s dean of instruction in 1949 and guided the school through the process of becoming accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Apart from a lounge renovation in 1993, Howard Hall remains in its original form.
“Howard Hall is a legacy building at NGU,” said Rich Grimm, executive vice president. “Students have enjoyed this space for many years, and we believe the concept developed by our planning team, led by Project Manager Scott Carlson, will honor its rich history while serving the needs of current and future Trailblazers.”
The project, which is anticipated to be completed in July of 2027, will house 78 students and establish a permanent coffee shop that will be open to the public. More details about the coffee shop will be available in the coming months.
“Community is foundational to what we are trying to deliver to our students with this project,” said Dr. Jared Thomas, vice president of Campus Ministries and Student Engagement at NGU. “In the design of this building, we started with community in mind. Throughout the suites, in the hallways, in the coffee shop—we want there to be places you can gather. We want this to become one of the hubs on campus.”
Thomas said the renovated rooms in Howard Hall will feature a new design.
“It’s not a traditional suite where you have two rooms and they share a bathroom,” he said. “We are gutting the space completely and creating an apartment-style space.”
Following the renovation, the connecting space between Howard Hall and Simpson Hall will feature laundry facilities, as well as additional gathering space for students.
“The community space is going to be huge for our campus, adding another place where students can unwind and interact,” Thomas said. “In a lot of ways, this project is a first step. The concept we execute here will inform future residence hall renovations.”
North Greenville is investing more than $4.5 million in the Howard Hall renovation, reinforcing an ongoing commitment to campus and student life improvements.
“Moving into top Howard (in the 1970s) felt like a dream come true,” said Kay Powers, a current NGU Board of Trustees member and a 1975 graduate of North Greenville. “It was the place to be. In Howard, we would leave our doors open, and you would just go in and sit with others on your hall. I came to North Greenville as a very shy, introverted person, and living in top Howard helped me come out of my shell. I’m excited for students to be able to experience the same thing I did and share this space in a new way.”
The Howard Hall project is a continuation of NGU’s campus enhancement plan, which has prioritized renovation and new construction projects across the Tigerville campus over the last decade, including the Ray and Bea Dillard Field and George Bomar Family Stadium at Ashmore Park, Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, IT Services, Neves Hall and NGUcentral, and Moore Hall in Hayes Ministry Center. As with these initiatives, the Howard Hall project reflects NGU’s commitment to investing in its campus while maintaining financial responsibility, with no long-term, interest-bearing debt incurred for these projects.
The Howard Hall renovation project was approved by NGU’s Board of Trustees on Oct. 16, and work will begin in the coming weeks. Robert C. Cashion, Architect, Inc., is the architect on the project. The general contractor for the project is Triangle Construction Company of Greenville. To follow the project and receive updates as it progresses, including ways to give, (and naming opportunities), visit go.ngu.edu/howard-hall.
