On Tuesday, campus and civic leaders, joined by more than 300 students and community supporters, celebrated the grand reopening of Columbus State University’s Main Campus Davidson Student Center. Most of the building—where students connect through social and campus organization activities—was offline during the 2025-26 academic year as its interior underwent a $4.8 million, state-funded modernization.

The Davidson Student Center was among the first structures built when then-Columbus College began operations in 1963 on what is now its Main Campus. In 1969, the building was named after Joseph Quentin Davidson, a Columbus lawyer, education champion and former president of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

Before a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, university President Stuart Rayfield cited the project as an example “of what is possible when we invest in our students and in the future of Columbus State University.” Along with state and University System of Georgia leaders, she praised the local Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Senate delegation for their help in securing $4.8 million in state funding for the renovation in 2023.

State Rep. Carolyn Hugley, who represents Georgia’s 141st District and serves as the House minority leader, echoed Rayfield’s remarks about how investing in college students’ academic and social experiences pays dividends for the region.

“It’s important for us to make these types of investments because this is not just an investment in the university; it’s an investment in our community, it’s an investment in our students,” Hugley said. “And when we invest in our students, we’re not simply making another investment in education. We’re investing in the future of our families, we’re investing in innovation, in ideas, in our future workforce [.…] We knew that investment would create community, it would create opportunity, and it would add to the excellence that we know comes from Columbus State University.”

“I can just imagine great things happening here,” State Rep. Debbie Buckner ’77 said, reflecting on her own time playing pool, ping pong and foosball and the sense of community she found in the Davidson Student Center as a student.

State Rep. Vance Smith ’74 echoed Buckner’s sentiments, expressing appreciation for how the Davidson Student Center was the center of great college memories and friendships. He celebrated the “regional effect” Columbus State and its students have throughout west Georgia because of “camaraderie and relationships that turn into fruitful partnerships. When you have greater partnerships, this is what happens right here.”

Creating an engaging student-centered environment

Architects from Columbus-based 2WR+Partners collected student input on the renovation features and design appearance. This feedback resulted in enhancements such as:  

• Additional windows facing the Whitley Clock Tower, which provide scenic views of the outside quad and increased natural lighting indoors.
• More open spaces and upholstered seating areas for students to connect, build community and host events.
• New spaces of all sizes—from meeting and study rooms to cozy nooks—where students can study, meet and refine their leadership skills.
• An enlarged eSports center that is more than twice the size of its previous footprint.
• Modern finishes and a color palette that better evoke campus spirit and pride.
• An additional elevator, remodeled restrooms, expanded vending options, and upgraded lighting and environmental controls.

“The renovated Davidson Student Center reflects our vision for creating an engaging, welcoming and student-centered campus environment,” explained Chief Student Experience Officer Kim Scranage. “What we’re celebrating here today is the future of the student experience here at Columbus State. Throughout the building, you’ll find spaces designed to support collaboration, involvement, recreation, leadership development and connection.”

Representing the student body and speaking to her classmates, Student Government Association President Aniya Wilson pointed to the new opportunities the renovation offers for “creating traditions and building a strong and vibrant campus community.”

Coinciding with the grand reopening of the student center, Columbus State launched a new bookstore partnership with Follett Higher Education earlier this month. This collaboration led to the opening of the Cougar Outfitters spirit shop and textbook store, located within the student center complex.

A Main Campus makeover

The renovation of the Davidson Student Center is part of broader efforts transforming the university’s Main Campus. These improvements began in late 2024 with the demolition of Woodall Hall, which had been unused for some time. The project increased green space around the Whitley Clock Tower for campus activities by creating a true quad between the Schwob Memorial Library, the Richards Hall main administration building and the Davidson Student Center.

Additionally, state-funded exterior improvements on the Synovus Center for Commerce & Technology—completed during the summer—improved the building’s efficiency and increased environmental comfort for students and employees.

The next phase of the Main Campus transformation includes constructing a $22.2 million robotics, space science and emergent technologies center. This will be the university’s first new state-funded academic building in two decades. The center will host the Robotics Engineering program, house the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, and bolster STEM education collaborations with the Muscogee County School District.

When announced in June 2025, university leaders called it “a hub for advanced technology and a pipeline for cultivating technologically literate students from kindergarten through college,” emphasizing its role in fostering innovation and education. Now in the design phase, the approximately 36,000-square-foot building will be positioned parallel to Interstate 185 and next to the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center.