On March 16, the first event of many to come was held on the new College Street green space on the Macon campus.
Construction began in summer 2023 to transform this area into a functional and attractive public space. The parking lot in front of the Connell Student Center was removed and replaced by a circular green space similar to Cruz Plaza but smaller. Other features include brick pavers; additional landscaping and lighting; a sand volleyball court near the residence halls; and a new campus entrance on Coleman Avenue.
Roughly 1,000 people stopped by during the three-hour Party on the Plaza, which included music from a DJ, interactive inflatables, a volleyball tournament, and a free lunch. Prospective students and their families also joined in the fun, since the celebration coincided with the Office of Admissions’s Discover Mercer event, said Meredith Keating White, executive director of campus life and student involvement.
“What a perfect way for the prospective students and families to see what Mercer is,” she said. “We worked together to get the green space as open and vibrant for as many people as possible.”
The party was a collective effort by Mercer’s student affairs, housing and residence life, admissions, and recreation and wellness offices, as well as the QuadWorks student programming board.
Keating White said the plaza is a beautiful space that already looks like a natural part of campus, and it has enhanced the entryway and ambiance of Connell Student Center, as well as Mary Erin Porter, Plunkett and Legacy residence halls. The nearby volleyball court will encourage student engagement and physical activity.
“I think the Party on the Plaza was just the beginning. I think we’ll be able to use it for a lot of things going forward,” Keating White said. “The students answered the call and really wanted to see the space and hang out together. It was really beautiful to watch the whole community gather for this event.”
