William Carey University dedicated the new Tatum Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday. The completion marks the final piece of recovery from the devastation caused by the 2017 EF3 tornado that ripped through the campus.
Dr. Tommy King called Thursday, July 18, “what may be the finest day in the history of William Carey University.”
King, the university’s president, led the dedication of Tatum Hall, which was the final piece of the 2017 tornado recovery puzzle. The EF3 tornado that ripped through Crusaders Country destroyed six buildings and 11 others. The total cost for the recovery was $110 million, with no federal funds.
King spoke to a standing-room-only crowd that included a line of people circling the second-floor rail.
Dr. Tommy King, President of William Carey University
“Every one of you in this room is a special person,” he said during the dedication, emphasizing the wide range of financial support the university received. “We got checks from Japan, the Near East, and Europe without depending on federal help.”
King said after 2½ years of rebuilding work, William Carey is “better and stronger than ever.”
Buildings that were part of the WCU tornado recovery included the Ben Waddle Sports Facility, the Multi-purpose Building, Green Biology Annex, Gym Annex, Ross Anatomy Lab, Johnson Hall, Ross Hall, and Asbury Academic Building, and Tatum Hall.
Dr. Scott Hummel, William Carey’s executive vice president and provost, said he felt pride with the Tatum Hall dedication.
William Carey University Executive Vice President and Provost, Dr. Scott Hummel (left), talks with Area Development Partnership President Chad Newell during the Tatum Hall dedication.
“I have never been prouder,” he said. “This is a day of gratitude and giving, but also it is a day of celebration. This building (Tatum Hall) is so much more than brick and steel – no building hurt more to lose.”
William Carey University students, staff, instructors, and administration had divine help, Hummel said.
“We are Carey Strong because God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear (Psalm 46:1-2),” he said. “This building represents the future of Carey.”
Dr. Tommy King recognizes the whole efforts put into the recovery.
King and Hummel both talked about the construction being done on a three-story Student Center.
William Carey University Dean of Education, Ben Burnett (left), talks with Area Development Partnership President Chad Newell during the Tatum Hall dedication.
“Tatum Hall is the capstone of a 2½-year recovery,” King said after the dedication. “Today marks a full recovery, but it is not the end of the story.”