Southeastern celebrates new residence halls
Monday, September 23, 2019 
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Southeastern cut the ribbon Monday (Sept. 23) officially celebrating
the opening of two new residence halls on campus – Ascension Hall and Twelve Oaks
Hall. Constructed to meet the growing demand for campus living options, the two new
halls feature 556 beds in shared double and private double mini-suites, bringing the
total number of housings beds available on campus to approximately 2,700.
Designed with student programming in mind, community corner lounges for socializing,
as well as quiet study rooms, are located throughout the buildings. Multipurpose space
is also provided on the first floor of each building. The configuration of these rooms,
with integrated technology, is used to house classes and host various social, entertainment
and other educational events.
A unique feature of the facilities is the incorporation of a hybrid geothermal
system for heating and cooling – the first of its kind in the state. This system is
projected to reduce energy costs by more than 50 percent and serves as a learning
laboratory for real world experiences for Southeastern students in energy engineering
technology and other areas.
The buildings were designed by Holly and Smith Architects with construction by
DonahueFavret Contractors.
Present at the ribbon cutting were, from left, DonahueFavret Vice President of
Field Operations David Dupre, DonahueFavret President and CEO John L. Donahue III,
Louisiana Board of Regents board member Jay Seale, Principal Architect and Founder
of Holly and Smith Architects Michael Holly, Southeastern President John L. Crain,
University of Louisiana System Board Chair Mark Romero, United Facilities, Inc. President
Marcus Naquin, and Student Government Association President Karley Bordelon.
