<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2mNRyG_1FDawR8j00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2mNRyG_1FDawR8j00" width="1200" height="800" ></figure>This year saw the addition of a brand new dormitory for freshmen, Magnolia Hall. A freshman only resident hall fostering Virginia State Universities Education, Computer Science, First Gen, HPER, and Leadership LLCs. The dorm was built directly in front of the university’s Heritage Magnolia Tree, believed to have been planted around 170 years ago by Christian Herring in 1851. It serves as a reminder that hard work and dedication can lead to beautiful things. Now that residents have spent the last five weeks or more enjoying the dormitory, some shared their reactions to Magnolia.“I want a space where students can find their place and thrive such as the tree the hall is named after,” Lead Residence Director Nilee A. Williams said.” I hope students take advantage of the resources the hall provides to continue bettering themselves as Trojans.”Tyron Rice Jr. serves not only as Virginia State University’s 7th Mister Orange and Blue, he is also a Residential Assistant (RA) over the 4th floor of the building. Rice is a senior business management major focusing on human resources (HR). The change in housing assignments had an effect on how Rice viewed his job.“I was recently placed in Gateway Annex, so we had communal bathrooms and appliances in the hall, and the standard to which they were kept clean left a lot to be desired,” Rice said. “I am very fortunate to be placed into Magnolia based on the fact I have my own room by being an RA. The cleanliness and renovations this hall brings to campus is just overall fresh and better.”The freshmen residents bring with them a new set of expectations and reactions to not only the living space but also to their resident assistants who oversee the halls.“I would say no (there is no change in respect), they respected me before knowing my title (Mister Orange and Blue) as many did not know that title when first meeting me. And I prefer that they get to know me as who I am, not as the title. After finding out they did respect me a little bit more, but still saw me as their RA and Tyron Rice Jr.,” Rice said.Resident Assistants spend a lot of time interacting with their residents, Rice explained some of his techniques.“One way I try to engage with my residents is just being around the building, someone that they feel comfortable enough to talk to and chill with,” Rice said. “I understand my job is very serious, however, I try to make my residents feel comfortable being around me since this is many of their first year of college, and I’ve been here for around 4 years by the grace of god and graduating this year. I have always enjoyed mentorship and view the relationship I have with them is more “Big Brother – Little Sibling” sense to help guide them in the right direction and be a positive influence.”Freshmen, in most cases are living out on their own for the first time. Living in Magnolia, like most freshmen dorms is not always perfect.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0wjG4H_1FDawR8j00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0wjG4H_1FDawR8j00" width="2001" height="1334" ><figcaption>Magnolia Hall dorm rooms are furnished with new items some of which include beds, desks, and storage to help with living away from home. (Taron Smith)</figcaption></figure>“I would say it is the cleanliness of the residents. This is one of the nicest housing assignments you will receive on campus. It does not get better than this with brand new washers and dryers, beds, and living areas that other halls do not have,” Rice said. “We do have many students that help clean and sweep the floors when needed. The importance of being clean extends beyond the dorms.”Michael Bradshaw is a resident of Magnolia Hall majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He has enjoyed a number of benefits from staying in the newest dorm on campus.“I’m happy that I do not have to pay for laundry. I’m happy that I don’t have communal bathrooms cause people are nasty,” Bradshaw said. “The rooms are very spacious which makes it easier to decorate and move around in. And the hall is very welcoming for the freshmen, the community inside feels more culturally together than other dorms I have heard about.”Beyond the personal rooms, Magnolia Hall has common areas for everyone.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=39aixO_1FDawR8j00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=39aixO_1FDawR8j00" width="1334" height="2001" ><figcaption>Michael Bradshaw is one of the new residents residing in Magnolia Hall. (Taron Smith)</figcaption></figure>“They are very quiet inside the building to relax, study, and have a lounge that helps me relax,” Bradshaw said. “The TVs also provide for more opportunities for comfort and study.”Even with the best new dorm on campus, there can be room for improvement. “The only thing I would change is my room. I prefer the 3rd floor and it would give me a better vantage point to look at campus,” Bradshaw said. “Another aspect is during welcome week when the student leaders bang on doors, I feel as if they would not come to my floor first if I was on the third floor.”</div></body>

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This year saw the addition of a brand new dormitory for freshmen, Magnolia Hall. A freshman only resident hall fostering Virginia State Universities Education, Computer Science, First Gen, HPER, and Leadership LLCs. The dorm was built directly in front of the university’s Heritage Magnolia Tree, believed to have been planted...

New Magnolia Hall welcomes freshmen

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This year saw the addition of a brand new dormitory for freshmen, Magnolia Hall. A freshman only resident hall fostering Virginia State Universities Educat

New Magnolia Hall welcomes freshmen

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