New Spaces Unveiled as Huntingdon Students Arrive for Spring Term

Montgomery, Ala.—Spring term classes began Monday, February 8, at Huntingdon College. Students returned to three new spaces on campus, with a fourth construction project underway.

An anatomy and physiology lab has been created for students in the sport science undergraduate programs. The lab, located on the Cloverdale campus, is in addition to the A&P lab located in the College’s science building, Bellingrath Hall, on the main campus.

“The creation of an anatomy and physiology lab for Department of Sport Science and Physical Education (SSPE) students on the Cloverdale Campus gives our majors a dedicated space that is a vital part of the learning environment,” said Dr. Mike Bamman, professor of sport science and SSPE department chair.“The new lab space provides additional practical opportunities, helping SSPE students enhance their learning by experiencing theoretical concepts of science that are taught in our classrooms.”

Two classrooms have been added on the second floor of the College’s main building, Flowers Hall. Created from square footage formerly devoted to offices, each classroom accommodates approximately 25 students while achieving social distancing protocols. Huntingdon’s average undergraduate class size is 17 students.

Bright scarlet and grey carpeting leads to the new Mike Nelson ’88 Baseball Locker Room and Team Lounge in Roland Student Center. Once inside, players are surrounded by wall-sized images of All-Region and All-American players and championship teams from the past in the new entry and lounge spaces. The locker room boasts state-of-the-art lockers equipped with electronic charging stations and amenities only dreamed of a few months ago. The space is named in memory of Mike Nelson, Huntingdon Class of 1988, one of the most decorated baseball players in Huntingdon history and a member of the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1987, Mr. Nelson was named an All-American, All Southern States Conference, and All-District player and helped lead Huntingdon to its first College World Series appearance.  He was the Hawks’ Most Valuable Player and team captain and set the record for the highest lifetime batting average of more than .400. After completing his degree in physical education he joined the Montgomery Coca-Cola Bottling Company, progressing through the executive level. Mr. Nelson died in 2017. Coca-Cola contributed a generous gift, which was tripled by gifts from former players and College friends, to make the renovations possible.

Kyle Phillips, a senior pitcher from Pelham, Ala., said, “When I first saw the locker room it was breathtaking. I was very impressed with how it turned out and it made me feel like I was apart of something bigger.To me the new locker room shows us players that the coaches and administration care about us as players. I feel very blessed to have a high quality locker room that is as nice as many Division 1 baseball locker rooms.”

Senior infielder Wes Powell of Cantonment, Fla., agreed. “It’s like a gift from the coaches and the school for all the hard work we’ve put in the past few years. With the rooms filled with past championship teams and players it feels we need to hold ourselves accountable to the high standards that the past players were held to. The new locker room is a great addition for the program and we’re hoping that we can add a mural of all of us holding up the conference trophy at the end of the year.”

A fourth space, the Wanda A. Howard ’81 BSU Center, has renovations underway with expected completion in a few weeks. The space will accommodate student gatherings in support of racial diversity and campus life.

Huntingdon College continues a legacy of faith, wisdom, and service through a liberal arts academic tradition grounded in the Judeo-Christian heritage of the United Methodist Church.

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