Dedication Ceremony April 18 for
Bob and Lou Kennamer Hall



Jacksonville State University will dedicate the Bob and Lou Kennamer Hall on Monday, April 18, with a ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m. and an open house from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. The building is a multi-purpose facility which houses the JSU Athletics Department. One wing of the facility has been in use since October 2004 as a strength and conditioning center.

Speaking at the event will be JSU President William A. Meehan and Athletics Director Jim Fuller. Present, too, will be Bob and Lou Kennamer, for whom the building is named. The Kennamers have a history of supporting JSU and the local community. Mr. Kennamer is a longtime member of JSU's board of trustees. He is retired from State Farm Insurance Company, and Mrs. Kennamer is the retired owner of the former Lou’s Dress Shop on the square in Jacksonville. The couple lives in Anniston.

“The Kennamers have been deeply involved in JSU since they were students back in the 1950s,” said Jack Hopper, JSU’s special assistant to the president and former vice president for institutional advancement. “The Kennamers' devotion is unparalleled, and they have made many contributions to academics and athletics through service to the university and through donations. The university family is deeply appreciative of their loyalty and participation.”

The $2.5 million, 6,000-square-foot facility houses the William Taylor Stewart Strength and Conditioning Center, the athletics department’s administrative offices, and offices for the coaches of baseball, golf, softball and volleyball. The facility sits on campus just off Alabama 21 Pelham Road North at the former site of Jacksonville High School.

“We are very proud of our student-athletes and the staff that oversees the athletics department, and they deserve the best facilities JSU can provide,” said Dr. Meehan. “This facility will allow students to become more competitive in their sports and will allow the staff and coaches to continue their fine job of ensuring the best for JSU's athletics programs.”

The gothic design of Bob and Lou Kennamer Hall blends in well with nearby Stephenson Hall and other campus buildings. Architects with Jenkins Munroe Jenkins of Anniston used the band room and gymnasium of the high school formerly on that site as the core structure and built twin fronts joined by a walkway.

Athletics Director Jim Fuller is thrilled about what the new facility will mean to his department.

“This facility will not only impact 350-plus student-athletes now but also in future years to come,” said Mr. Fuller. “When you consider other facilities around the country, there are not many that will be better than ours.”

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