The Inn at Ole Miss Nears Phase I Goal

The Inn at Ole Miss moved a step closer to its goal in December with the help of The Gertrude Castellow Ford Foundation. The Ford Foundation pledged $1 M in December 2007 to sponsor the new ballroom connected to the Inn at Ole Miss tower.

“The trustees of the Ford Foundation recognized the importance of this multipurpose space to the Alumni Association and the University as a whole,” says Inn at Ole Miss campaign coordinator Tim Walsh. “We are deeply grateful for their benevolence, which puts us significantly closer to our fundraising goal for Phase I.”

Construction Updates
The existing Inn at Ole Miss and the new tower are now connected, and the Inn at Ole Miss tower is on schedule to open for business in August. Interior painting of the new tower is scheduled to start in mid-March.

The 6,000 square foot ballroom will have state of the art audio visual equipment. The ballroom also will feature drop down walls, making it possible to have up to four separate sections within this space. Each section of the ballroom will have its own projector and screen built into the ceiling.

The ballroom is connected to a 2,000 square foot kitchen which will service all meal functions in the Inn and the Triplett Alumni Center. The kitchen equipment is scheduled to be installed in June.

The spacious new lobby will have four stained glass transoms above four sets of French doors that lead to the garden and swimming pool. These transoms will depict the Lyceum, Ventress Hall, Triplett Alumni Center and The Grove.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Every suite in the new hotel tower has been sponsored and four rooms remain in the original Inn. Rooms may be sponsored with a tax-deductible gift to the University of $55,000, which may be contributed over time, if needed. The campaign has garnered over $15.8 million in gifts and pledges, but $400,000 is still needed to complete Phase I. Those not interested in a room sponsorship still have other naming opportunities by sponsoring patios, benches, chandeliers or alumni bricks.

Individuals or organizations can learn more about donor naming opportunities and tax-deductible contributions to The Inn at Ole Miss by contacting Tim Walsh at 662-915-1878, tim@olemiss.edu or by visiting the Alumni Web site.

A live webcam allows alumni and friends to visit the Ole Miss Alumni Association Web site and view the current progress of The Inn construction.