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New Multi-Purpose Sports Complex
Scheduled Completion: Fall 2026
More than infrastructure, the vibrant and inclusive multi-purpose sports complex represents a lasting space for students, alumni, parents, and fans to gather, celebrate, and connect—cementing the role of athletics and school spirit in the Southwestern Experience. Located on the site of the current football practice field east of campus, the new complex is funded 100% by philanthropy.
The full scope of the project includes a grandstand, a stadium press box, a synthetic turf playing surface, a locker room, and a concourse area. Construction is expected to continue through the summer of 2026 with home athletic competitions commencing on campus beginning with the fall 2026 semester.
The stadium portion of the new facility will not only bring football back to Southwestern’s campus for the first time since 1950, but will also serve as a central location to build community on campus. The complex will be utilized by other Pirate athletic teams, including club and intramural sports, as well as for University events, such as Commencement.
Updates:
- A contract has been signed with Hellas Construction to design and build a fenced complex with an artificial turf field and home side grandstand, as well as a new visiting team locker room and public restroom facility.
- Work began on the field on January 21. An enabling project to light the nearby practice field is complete and the lights are now operational.
- The project is on track to be completed in time to play the first home football game of the 2026 season at the new facility.
Other Ongoing Projects
Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center Renovation
Scheduled Completion: to be determined
Structural assessment and design are underway to develop solutions for foundation failure.
Updates:
- Pending budget approval, construction will commence after graduation and move-out in May 2026.
Old Field House Interior Renovation
Scheduled Completion: to be determined
The Old Field House (formerly home to SUPD) is being renovated to become the new home of the Campus Post Office.
Updates:
- The interior of the building is gutted and clean.
- Design is underway.
- Construction work will commence pending design finalization and budget availability.
Roy & Lillie Cullen Renovation
Scheduled Completion: to be determined
The first floor of the Roy & Lillie Cullen Building is being renovated to modernize the HVAC system, enhance ADA features, and optimize use of the building.
Updates:
- Conceptual design of the new layout is underway.
- The full design and construction effort will begin when funding is secured for the full project cost.
Priority HVAC and Elevator Repairs
Ongoing
These critical systems in multiple buildings around campus are either in a ‘down’ status or have passed their usable life and are likely to fail soon. Facilities Management has developed an initial project to execute the highest priority HVAC and elevator upgrades/repairs during the 2025-2026 academic year. These upgrades will continue annually as an appropriate major maintenance rhythm is developed.
Updates:
- Upgrades/repairs to elevators in Joe S. Mundy Hall, the Fondren-Jones Science Center, and the Robertson Center are in progress:
- Mundy – Work began on February 16 and will take approximately 2-3 weeks to complete.
- Fondren-Jones – Work on the south elevator is scheduled to start four weeks after the work in Mundy is complete. The north elevator remains in operation.
- Robertson Center – Work is scheduled to commence in May.
- HVAC repair/replacement in the Studio Arts Building and Joe S. Mundy Hall is complete.
Campus-wide Safety, Stormwater, and Drainage Improvements
Ongoing
Storm drain and downspout upgrades and sidewalk corrections will remove muddy slip hazards and stop erosion around building foundations. Installation and upgrade of exterior lighting and establishment of permanent, standardized way-finding signage will ensure everyone on campus can get where they need to be quickly and safely.
Updates:
- A civil engineering firm is now identified to initiate project scope and design.
Landscaping Improvements
Ongoing
Multiple landscape enhancements are planned for FY26 and continuing annually.
Updates:
- The first round of dead tree removal is complete, and system-wide irrigation repairs continue. Reclaimed wood is supplying mulch around campus. The second phase of the dead tree removal and major limb trimming project will commence in late February.
- New plantings were established in beds around the Cullen Building and other areas.
- The donor brick garden on the Academic Mall side of the McCombs Campus Center is complete, and remaining donor bricks will be used in the Peace Garden project along with donated materials. The Peace Garden installation will occur in early spring, pending support through donated materials and volunteer work.
Recently Completed Projects
Dorothy Perry White Welcome Center
In January 2026, Southwestern opened the new Dorothy Perry White Welcome Center. Located on the east side of campus, the Dorothy Perry White Welcome Center is the new home of the Office of Admission and Financial Aid. It will also includes several amenities, including an art gallery, cafe, theater, and several meeting spaces.
Jessie Daniel Ames Hall
Prior to the start of the Spring 2026 semester, Southwestern unveiled the new Jessie Daniel Ames Hall for second-year students. Constructed with the goal of blending living areas with outdoor spaces while emphasizing areas for student collaboration, Jessie Daniel Ames Hall features a fitness center and yoga/Pilates studio on the first floor, large lounge and collaborative spaces on the second and third floors, and study nooks throughout the building. Located on the eastern side of campus, the residence hall is named for Jessie Daniel Ames, a 1902 SU graduate and nationally prominent civil rights activist.
Ella Sedwick Hall
Prior to the start of the Spring 2026 semester, Southwestern unveiled the new Ella Sedwick Hall for first-year students. Much like Jessie Daniel Ames Hall, Ella Sedwick Hall was constructed with the goal of blending living areas with outdoor spaces while emphasizing areas for student collaboration. Centrally located next to the McCombs Campus Center, the new Ella Sedwick Hall includes large lounge and collaborative spaces on the first floor, an open-air terrace on the second floor, and several outdoor areas to study and relax. The namesake of the new residence hall, Ella Sedwick, has greeted and supported generations of Southwestern students for more than 25 years through her work with Aramark and Sodexo in the University’s Mabee Commons Dining Hall.
Mood-Bridwell Hall Renovation
Mood-Bridwell Hall, built in 1908 to serve as a men’s residence hall, has undergone an extensive renovation that blends 21st-century technology with the building’s deep history. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the renovated Mood-Bridwell includes spaces for gatherings and performances, new classrooms, and a coffeehouse. The south-facing upper terrace has been reopened for outdoor classroom use and social gatherings.
Maple Street Open Parking Lot
During the summer of 2025, Southwestern University built a new parking lot on Maple Street to accommodate visitors to the forthcoming new restaurant and increase parking for our campus community.
Library Updates - Phase 2
We enhanced and repaired the windows on the Cody Memorial side of the library. These upgrades are crucial for safeguarding the valuable items within our Distinctive Collections from external elements. We are also made cosmetic updates to the 2nd and 3rd floors of Cody Memorial.
Learning Commons
We are thrilled to introduce the new Professor John Score Learning Commons, a dynamic hub for academic support and collaboration at Southwestern University. Located within the Smith Library Center, this innovative space will bring together the Debby Ellis Writing Center and the Tutoring Center, providing a centralized resource for student learning and success.
Chilled Water Loop & Chilled Water Plant
Phase 1 of the chilled water looped and chilled water plant updates and upgrades are now complete. This work is intended to enhance the reliability and consistency of cooling across campus buildings.
Campus Store Relocation
Southwestern University is excited to announce a new partnership with Barnes & Noble, marking a significant enhancement to our campus bookstore services. In the summer of 2024, the Campus Store was relocated to a newly remodeled space on the first floor of the McCombs Campus Center. The Shilling Rooms were transformed to accommodate the campus store, ensuring a dynamic and accessible location for our university merchandise and academic resources.
Library Reveling
The releveling project addressed the shifting of the foundation under the Cody Memorial/Distinctive Collections side of the Smith Library Center. The university took advantage of the closure to make a number of upgrades, including the repair of damaged interior walls and upgrades to interior finishes. The air conditioning system was replaced to maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity for items preserved in Distinctive Collections.
The Cove Decor
A Student Task Force created a new decor design for The Cove. Their design aimed to capture the cozy, warm atmosphere our students enjoy. Enhancements include new furniture, the restoration of the beloved booths, and a wall wrap.
The Commons
The Commons has undergone a transformation with new wraps and acrylics, creating a welcoming environment wherever you turn.
McCombs Campus Center Pergola
With the loss of the large oak tree near McComb’s south entrance—damaged beyond repair during our most recent winter ice storm—we created a new, covered outdoor seating area.
Pickleball Courts
Pickleball Courts located in the First-Year Courtyard and the McCombs Residential Center are not just your ordinary playing grounds; they are adorned with vibrant SU yellow court paint, equipped with lights to facilitate evening games for students, and thoughtfully designed with ramps to ensure accessibility for all, in line with ADA guidelines.
Robertson Center Upgrades and Additions
In Robertson, student-athletes will benefit from a women’s locker room upgrade, a new team meeting room, and an audio/video studio.
New Servery in the Commons
The newly refreshed Commons Servery features fresh, modern aesthetics and a completely reimagined dining hall.
The Servery features an open-concept kitchen, and the space has been opened up with the expansion of the entryway to the Commons dining area. The Servery also features an impressive brick oven, where specialty pizzas are created using dough made in-house. A revamped sauté station includes enhanced displays and made-to-order, personalized dishes. The breakfast bar has also undergone an expansion, offering a variety of choices including waffles, cereals, and a constant flow of freshly brewed coffee—available during all open hours to cater to different schedules. The dessert section, previously tucked away, is now displayed upfront, offering an array of sweet treats.
Baseball Field Seating
New seating has been installed at Rockwall Family Baseball Field to provide a more comfortable in-game experience for fans.
Chapel Window Light
The light has been restored to the Chapel windows! Once again the beautiful stained glass can be seen at night.
Bishops Lounge
Bishops Lounge is once again a true lounge space, with areas to relax, visit, study, or play a rousing game of ping pong. Electrical outlets have been fixed so students can use them to plug in laptops and other electronic devices.
Other Recently Completed Projects
