Clearing the Way Ceremony to Make Room for New Texas Tech Building

The face of Texas Tech University's main campus will change once again, as space is made for the new Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Building. A "Clearing the Way" ceremony was held Saturday (Sept. 20) just west of Dan Law Baseball Field, as university officials prepared to begin demolition of Thompson and Gaston Halls.   The ceremony and demolition of the two buildings is the first step in the construction of the Rawls College of Business building. The new business administration building will serve as an anchor for a new North Campus Gateway that will be an entrance to the campus from the Marsha Sharp Freeway.   Thompson and Gaston Halls were completed in 1957. Both buildings were originally residence halls. Gaston Hall at one point had some married-student apartments attached to it. Thompson Hall became offices and student health services in the mid-1970s when the medical school was established.   Allen McInnes, dean of the Rawls College of Business, marked the historic day of new beginnings for Texas Tech.   "Because of the generous support of many of our friends and alumni, and the unparalleled commitment of matching funds from the university, we stand ready to clear the way for the new home of the Rawls College of Business," McInnes said. "It is with great pride that we take this first step in constructing our legacy at Texas Tech, a building worthy of the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business."   Demolition began immediately after the ceremony and is expected to be complete in spring 2009.  The demolition includes asbestos abatement of the entire facility, utility tunnel abatement and demolition, and restoration of the site.   Alan White, co-chairman of the campaign and CEO of PlainsCapital Corp., said he was proud to help clear the way for the future home of the Rawls College of Business, and grateful to those who are integral to the building project.   "The labor and generosity of our campaign committee, advisory council, local donors, alumni and development team have partnered on this monumental project which is nearing fruition," White said. "The Rawls College of Business gave me the tools to become successful, and it has been my great honor to leave this legacy at Texas Tech University."   The demolition will make way for the construction of a 140,000 square-foot LEED-certified building for the Rawls College of Business at the North Campus Gateway. The LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System^TM is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations.   CONTACT: Cathy Landtroop, development officer, Rawls College of Business, (806) 742-2183, or at cathy.landtroop@ttu.edu.