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SGA Breaks Ground on New Student Space

The Student Government Association is pleased to announce plans for a new student space on campus, “The E&H Chestnut Commons.” On Friday, April 21, SGA and Campus Recreation hosted a launch party with music, games and food, to give students an idea of what the new space will mean for students in the future.

“I am thrilled to see this vision, which Ryan Vaughan (’25) thought of in the Spring of 2022, come to life,” said Jaynae Wright ’23, E&H student body president. “Kate Prager (’23) and I have really taken on leadership of seeing this space be built out from idea to development with Scott Williams, director of facilities. This project will not only provide students with a new social space to build community, but a beautiful example of the spirit of Emory & Henry.”

The new Commons space will be located in between Elm and Hickory Halls and feature a large fire pit with lawn chairs, a permanent large outdoor games area, a hammock village, walkways with custom E&H-inspired bricks, two large “spirit” boulders repurposed from the construction site of the new student apartment-style housing, and a native plant garden sponsored by the Emory Climate Collaborative.

“We have partnered with an Appalachian artist to embellish the space and have sourced two boulders from campus property to serve as traditional building spirit rocks. One of the great highlights of this project has been our collaboration with Rakeem Rutherford of Campus Recreation; he has provided great communication and permanent recreational items for the space,” said Wright.

The student-led project is expected to be completed and open to students by the fall of 2023.

“While this project was delayed slightly and won’t be fully functional until after I graduate, I am thrilled to see this space coming to life,” continued Wright. “I know many s’mores, laughs, and core memories will be had in this amazing and exciting space!”

The new Commons space will be located in between Elm and Hickory Halls and feature a larg...

Open gallery

From left to right: Kate Prager '23, Jaynae Wright '23, Ryan Vaughan '25, Rakeem Rutherford '11
From left to right: Kate Prager ’23, Jaynae Wright ’23, Ryan Vaughan ’25, Rakeem Rutherford ’11
“This project will not only provide students with a new social space to build community, but a beautiful example of the spirit of Emory & Henry.”
-Jaynae Wright ’23, E&H student body president

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