ECU starts library construction

(May 4, 1994)   —   East Carolina University will conduct ceremonies Friday for two construction projects on campus—one finished and the other starting.

University administrators and members of the Board of Trustees will break ground for the new $30 million addition to the J.Y. Joyner Library at 4 p.m. The construction site adjoins the current library facility. Later, officials and guests will attend a dedication ceremony for new Todd Dining Hall on College Hill Drive. The dedication is at 6:30 p.m. The two project represent part of nearly $120 million earmarked or requested for additions and improvements to the ECU campus over the next several years. The library addition is by far the largest of any of the building projects on campus. The 164,000 square foot facility includes much-needed library space for books and for study areas as well as facilities for electronic information gathering and for video production. Completion of the project is set for July of 1998.

The new Todd Dining Hall contains about 35,400 square feet. It seats 625 people in the main dining area and includes a private dining room for 125. 
The building is named in honor of the late Richard C. Todd of Greenville and his wife Clauda Pennock Todd. Dr. Todd was a professor of history at ECU for 27 years until his retirement in 1977. The Todds have provided numerous scholarships, fellowships and financial aid programs at ECU, including a $1 million endowment which, at maturity, will finance 22 funding programs ranging from support of faculty research to campus maintenance.