Athens State University Campus Buildings

Alabama Center for the Arts
In Fall 2012, Athens State University, in partnership with the City of Decatur, Morgan County, and Calhoun Community College opened the Alabama Center for the Arts at 133 Second Avenue in downtown Decatur, Alabama. Phase I, the 44,000 square foot Visual Arts building, provides facilities for college courses that lead to Associate of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Class offerings include art appreciation, painting, drawing, computer graphics, sculpture, ceramics, pottery and courses supporting a teaching major leading to K-12 licensure for art instructors.

In August 2016, this collaborative effort continued with the opening of Phase II, the Performing Arts building. This facility is a continuation of the partnership between Calhoun Community College and houses programs in music and theatre. This facility encompasses approximately 44,000 square feet and includes a 140-seat recital hall, a 300-seat black box/studio theatre, recording studios, a music lab and a computer lab, three multi-purpose smart classrooms and faculty offices. College courses taught in this facility lead to Associate of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees with class offerings that include music appreciation, dramatic literature, theatre appreciation, acting, various music classes, jazz, chorale, and other performing arts.

AMSTI (“Moran”) Building
Purchased by the University in 208 and located at 1115A Highway 31 South about 3 miles south of the main campus, the AMSTI building contains offices and storage areas for the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) Region 2, and for Alabama Science in Motion (ASIM) specialists and equipment. AMSTI and ASIM provide resources and training to area K-12 schools.

Brown Hall
Completed in 1912, Brown Hall is named for Florence Brown, a teacher who cared for those affected by a 1909 campus typhoid epidemic. Miss Brown lost her life as a result of her efforts, and her parents donated funds in her memory for the building of Brown Hall as a new women’s dormitory. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bullington House (President’s Home)
Currently serving as the President’s Home, the Bullington House was built in 1910 on the corner of Bryan and Beaty Streets on what was originally a portion of the estate of the McConnell family. The house, an example of the Free Classic architectural style, was purchased by the University in 2006 and was originally used for administrative offices before becoming the President’s Home in 2010.

Carter Physical Education Center
Built in 1965 and originally serving as the hub for the University’s athletic programs (which were discontinued in 2004), the Center is named for former Alabama State Representative Tommy Carter and his wife JoAnn in recognition of their support to the institution. The Center houses classrooms and the Athletic Museum. In addition to its use for physical education activities, the Center gymnasium is used for graduation exercises and for a variety of meetings and community events.

Chasteen Hall
Chasteen Hall, just off the main campus on the corner of Clinton and Hobbs Streets, currently houses the offices for the Adult Degree Program and the Testing Center, as well as various classrooms and computer labs. The building is named for Dr. James R. Chasteen, President of Athens State (1981-1990), and his wife Melba. Originally owned by then Athens College, the building was sold and served as both a grocery store and a hardware store for many years before being repurchased by the University.

Classroom Building
The Classroom Building, housing a student lounge, and interactive and multi-purpose classrooms, was completed in the fall of 1998. The building underwent renovations in 2018-2018 to reconfigure some of the first-floor classrooms into new spaces for the University technical support Helpdesk and Athens Teaching Learning and Innovation Space (ATLIS).

College Street Center
Purchased in November 2010, the Center was renovated in 2017 to house the offices and equipment for University Publications, Printing and Postal Services.

Founders Hall
Founders Hall currently houses the Office of the President, offices for Financial Affairs, and faculty and staff offices for the College of Arts and Sciences. The iconic building of the University, Founders was built in 1842 by the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Church on five acres of land donated by the Maclin/Hobbs family. This era of the institution represents the transition of the institution’s control to the Conference from the private female academy first established in 1822. A variety of additions completed over the years have tripled the dimensions of the original building. In addition to the various offices, Founders also houses a parlor and chapel, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Freehauf House
Built in 1920 and located at 415 Hargrove Street on the northeast corner of the campus, the Freehauf House was purchased by the University in 2005.

“Grey” House
Purchased by the University in June 2015, this building at 307 North Beaty Street currently houses the offices of the Vice President for University Advancement and University Advancement staff.

Kares Library
The Athens State University Library opened in 1996, with the majority of the funds for its construction coming from private donations. In addition to the Library collection and offices, the building houses the University Writing Center, a Learning Commons area, and the Dr. Elva Bell McLin Archives Room. The Library was named as the Kares Library in May 2019 in recognition of the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kares. Mr. Kares is a 1968 alumnus of Athens College.

Maintenance Building
Completed in 1986, the Maintenance Building is located just off Hobbs Street on the east side of the campus. The building houses offices for physical plant staff, shipping and receiving areas, and equipment storage areas.

McCain Hall
Currently home to offices for faculty and staff in the College of Education, McCain Hall was completed in 1962. McCain Hall underwent a complete renovation and was rededicated in 2011. Originally serving as a women’s dormitory, the building is named for Dr. Virgil B. McCain, President of the institution from 1959 until 1965.

McCandless Hall
Housing the University Auditorium and serving as a facility for concerts, plays, and lectures for the campus and community, McCandless Hall was built in 1912 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hall underwent a complete renovation in 2013 to both restore original features and add modern facilities to ensure equal access for patrons. The Auditorium features a tracker-action pipe organ dating back to 1892.

Patton House
The Patton House at 413 Hargrove Street was purchased by the University in 2006. The House currently contains offices for staff associated with the University’s 2022 Bicentennial campaign.

Sanders Hall
Currently home to offices for faculty and staff in the College of Business, Sanders Hall was built in 1921; a total renovation was completed in 2010. Originally a women’s dormitory, the Hall is named for Col. W. T. Sanders, who presided over the institution’s Board of Trustees from 1896 to 1921.

Sandridge Student Center
Serving as the primary center for students and student support services, the Sandridge Student Center was built in 1967 on the foundation of the 1918 gymnasium and swimming pool. The Center was named for Dr. Sidney E. Sandridge, President of the institution (1970-1981), upon his retirement. In addition to a student lounge area and cafeteria, the Student Center houses the Offices of Admissions, Registrar - Student Records, and Student Financial Aid, the Student Success Center and Career Development Center, Accessibility Services, and the University Bookstore. The Sandridge Center underwent extensive renovations in 2018-2019 to reconfigure offices spaces and provide more of a “one-stop” experience for Athens State students.

Security Office
Once known as the “Little White House”, this small cottage just south of Founders Hall now houses the offices of Campus Security. The structure has served many purposes through its history, including use as a Greek house and for faculty housing.

Smith House
Located at 433 East Pryor Street, the Smith House is home to the offices for the Director of Public Relations, and the offices of Marketing and Communications. The Smith House was purchased by the University in 2005.

Waters Hall
Waters Hall was completed in 1957; an expansion and total renovation was completed in 2010. The building is named in honor of Mr. N. H. Waters, who was President of the institution’s Board of Trustees in 1957, and a loyal supporter of the institution. Waters Hall features classrooms, computer and science labs, and offices for College of Arts and Sciences faculty and staff.