MTSU’s Kenneth Ball, 21, was selected for a speaking role at the grand opening of the new science building on October 15th.
Ball, a senior from Savannah, Tennessee, was chosen by College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Bud Fischer to represent the campus body. Fischer was impressed with Ball’s comments in a video about the Aug. 25 first-day impressions of the Science Building.
“Kenneth is an excellent student who has a strong grasp of how this building can increase student engagement and create intellectual atmosphere,” Fischer said.
Ball stated that it “definitely is a privilege” to have been selected as the student speaker.
“I’m humbled to do it,” he said. “I know there are a lot more qualified students, but I will do the best I can.”
Ball says he plans to touch on “the difference between the new and the old buildings” and has been finalizing his speech over the fall break.
“One of the big things for me is the availability of being able to study,” Ball said. “There are [open area] desks, lobby areas and rooms just for studying.”
The general science major said he hopes to graduate in 2016 and has plans to be a secondary school teacher after graduating.
Tennessee State Governor Bill Haslam will be the featured speaker for the dedication, which will include a ribbon-cutting for the $147 million, 257,000-gross-square-foot structure that includes 13 research laboratories, 36 teaching labs and six classroom lecture halls.
Ball, chemistry professor Tammy Melton, Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan and state legislator Bill Ketron also will be speaking at the event.
To contact news editors Max Smith and Meagan White, email newseditor@mtsusidelines.com
For more campus news, follow us at mtsusidelines.com, on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on Twitter at @Sidelines_News