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University of Alabama’s Randall Welcome Center Opens Doors

January 24, 2024

The Randall Welcome Center

The University of Alabama held a ceremony on Friday, January 19th to commemorate the opening of the Randall Welcome Center. Attendees included Governor Kay Ivey, former Senator Richard Shelby and many of the university’s most influential leaders and administrators. The 15,000-square-foot welcome center comprises the first level of the historic Peter Bryce Main facility and will serve as the “front door to campus” for all who visit. Inside the facility are numerous interactive elements designed to provide prospective students with a glimpse into campus life. From academics to athletics, guests are guaranteed to enjoy an immersive display of the UA culture.

 “This is where students and families will be introduced to the University of Alabama”, said University President, Dr. Stuart Bell.This is where they will begin to understand the University of Alabama and all that it has to offer.” 

HPM collaborated with UA to achieve their vision of a strategic restructuring of the historic facility, originally constructed in 1861. Seeking to preserve defining characteristics of the original architecture, HPM managed every detail with care. The project team provided comprehensive services ranging from preconstruction to move management, all with students in mind.

The Randall Family

The welcome center is aptly named in honor of Dr. Catherine J. Randall and her late husband, Pettus Randall. The Randall family is beloved among the University of Alabama community, known for their commitment to generous hospitality.  Catherine was delighted to share her enthusiasm for the project with the hundreds of UA alumni, students and faculty who gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.  

“This welcome center is so state-of-the-art, so exciting, that I can hardly wait to see the faces of the students who are going to come here and get their first glimpse of what a difference can be made in their life by the University of Alabama. 

HPM and UA

HPM’s relationship with the University of Alabama began two decades ago in 2004. For 20 years, HPM has worked with the university on construction and renovations across campus. From residence halls to athletic complexes to academic facilities, HPM has an established history of managing capital projects on the Capstone’s behalf.

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