The National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees approved the final plans and a name
for the new on-campus housing facility Wednesday during their regular monthly meeting.
Redbud Hall is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025.
Vice president for Administration, Kelli Embry shared that this expansion will include
a mix of housing options similar to Dogwood Hall. The location was determined based
upon the proximity to Dogwood Hall, which allows for sharing amenities and staff between
the two facilities. The new housing facility will be about 45,000 square feet and
have approximately 175 beds.
Affordable housing is one NPC students’ greatest challenges and the demand for on-campus
housing has far outpaced the availability for the past two years. This past spring,
410 students applied for fall 2023 housing. Dogwood Hall is fully subscribed with
240 beds and currently has a waitlist of more than 85 applicants. The average age
of NPC students has trended younger over the past 10 years. Fall 2023 enrollment includes
more than 80% under the age of 24.
John McMorran of Lewis Architects Engineers presented the final renderings to the
board. He explained how the new building fits into the 25-year master plan and described
how the facility will connect to the campus.
The Board also approved a resolution to name the new facility Redbud Hall. The theme
of naming residence halls for trees found in Arkansas was selected by a naming committee
when planning for Dogwood Hall in 2019. The team said trees represent strength, growth
and transformation, all qualities of a National Park College student as well as the
campus. Redbud trees, along with Dogwoods, symbolize the arrival of springtime, transformation
and renewal.
“I appreciate the Board’s affirmation on the final plans, the naming and the bond
issue for Redbud Hall. These are major milestones in the process of adding additional
housing on campus. Affordable housing continues to be a significant barrier for NPC
students. We have been working toward this goal since 2021, so it is exciting to see
it come to fruition,” said Embry.
Board chair, Joyce Craft said, “Housing is clearly important to NPC students and,
in my opinion, has changed the dynamic of this campus in many positive ways. I am
excited to see what comes next with the addition of Redbud Hall.”
NPC president, John Hogan shared how on-campus housing creates community and helps
students be more successful. He added, ““We have done a lot in the last 10 years together
at NPC, but I cannot think of a more profound impact on NPC students’ experience than
the addition of residence life. I appreciate the Board’s support of this effort.”
