Spring 2004

Volume 7 Number 2
A publication of Macon State College

Pedestrian Plaza Perks Up Macon State College Campus

By Deborah Barnes

Photos By Bruce Radcliffe

Helen Hughes, a Macon State College junior who returned to finish her degree after a seven - year absence, can't believe how the campus has changed. 

"They've made it so beautiful," said Hughes, as she relaxed on a black - iron bench on the west end of campus.  "I usually stop here on Tuesdays and Thursdays and get a break before my next class and look over my notes and stuff.  I try to sit here and get a little sun."

MSC students stroll along a portion of the new pedestrian walkway, which features improved lighting and a reflecting pool.

Hughes is enthusiastic about the new pedestrian plaza, which sweeps along the east - to - west axis of the campus from the Administration Building and the Library, past the original Natural Sciences and Math Building and the Learning Support Building to the front of the new Charles H. Jones Building, which was formally dedicated in March and will open this summer.  It provides an idyllic setting for Macon State College students and staff to enjoy the spring weather. 

"I like watching people go by," Hughes said. 

An idea conceived by MSC Foundation Chairman Dr. Waddell Barnes, the pedestrian plaza is considered part of the campuswide Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens project, named in his honor in April 2003.

With the completion of the pedestrian plaza, Barnes' vision for the beautification of MSC will be about 30 percent realized, said MSC President David A. Bell.

"Dr. Barnes deserves so much credit," Bell said.  "He's an extraordinarily knowledgeable individual.  He has so much talent and has led the development of the botanical gardens, which has attracted a lot of private funding from various donors.  Dr. Barnes is the master of the master planners and his devotion to MSC is unselfish."

Macon State students are certainly noticing the changes.  A unique, rectangular fountain and reflecting pool near the Library got the attention of sophomore Allen Wilson, a business major. 

"It's a good place to sit," he said.  "People come flooding out (after their classes) and they'll sit there and mingle around the fountain.  It's a social gathering spot."

The pedestrian plaza and botanical gardens are part of Macon State's master plan for the development of infrastructure that  embraces the campus environment and academic mission of the College. 

"We conducted an analysis of this campus - in terms of potential growth - and developed a master plan in conjunction with Robert & Company (architects and planners)," Bell said.  "The Board of Regents approved it, and we are implementing it.  The plan involves first - rate facilities like the Charles H. Jones Building, botanical gardens on campus and the pedestrian plaza.  All of these projects for the east - west spine of the campus were planned almost 10 years ago and were funded in 2001 along with the Jones Building project."

Director of Plant Operations David S. Sims oversees the numerous projects to upgrade and maintain Macon State's grounds and facilities.  The pedestrian plaza includes water features, improved lighting, seating and landscaping.  Sims explained that each section o the campuswide botanical gardens has a specific landscaping theme.  "Showy Flowers" highlight the fronts of the Library and the Jones Building.  Beginning at the Library's west entrance and continuing past the Learning Support and original Natural Sciences and Math Building, "Showy Fruit" plantings lend life and serenity to the campus scenery.  The botanical gardens continue in the campus parking lots with an "Urban Gardens" theme to greet MSC commuters.

Here is a closer look at the reflecting pool in front of the MSC Library's west entrance.

Besides adding beauty to the campus, the botanical gardens will be "a resource for the region educationally," Sims said.  New plaques are being placed in the gardens with the plants' botanical names and their common names.

"Faculty, staff and students will really enjoy the brick walkways, the seating, the improved lighting and the landscaping," Sims said.

The goal of all this beautification is not simply aesthetic.  Sims noted that students often consider how a campus looks when deciding if they want to attend that college.  And Macon State students agree. 

"I think college is a place where you need to concentrate and study," said Libby Tingen, a history major who earns her associate degree this spring.  "It needs to be as beautiful as possible.  People will want to go here if it's prettier."

Bell said that Macon State is a "beautiful example of how a public college can work cooperatively with the community and the Board of Regents.  I couldn't be more enthusiastic about the physical development of MSC.  People can relax, study, and know that we care about them.  We have designed the campus of the future."

Added Hughes, now a regular visitor to that black - iron bench, "I'll walk over to the Student Life Center and get a salad and bring it back over here.  It helps you relax, brings things together.

Deborah Barnes is a senior communications major at MSC and news editor for the Matrix student newspaper.

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