Northwest Community College Celebrates R.C. Pugh Library Renovation

SENATOBIA, Miss. — Northwest Mississippi Community College officially reopened its R.C. Pugh Library after a $4.9 million renovation project that transformed the historic building into a modern learning hub.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 20 brought together college administrators, trustees, faculty, staff and students to celebrate the redesigned space, which now features a state-of-the-art maker space, private study rooms, a cozy fireplace and expanded learning resources.

“This space has been completely reimagined,” said Northwest President Dr. Michael J. Heindl. “It’s a beautiful space, and our students have been using it in major ways since the library reopened.”

The renovation preserved the library’s mid-century modern aesthetic while adding contemporary amenities. Northwest’s Director of College Construction and Maintenance, Mary Ayers, noted that new brickwork was hand-matched to the original 1967 masonry, and windows were designed to reflect the building’s 1953 and 1967 styles.

Vice President for Administration and Finance Jeff Horton said the results rival any library in Mississippi. “We would like to thank our partners at Murphy and Sons, Inc., EGH Architects and the Bureau of Buildings for their work on this project,” Horton said.

The 16,857-square-foot facility connects directly to Tate Hall, which houses computer labs, restrooms and student support offices. Inside, the library offers wide-open book spaces, study booths and technology-driven resources.

Dr. Melissa Wright, director of Learning Resources, emphasized the evolving role of libraries. “We now have a much more vast array of resources and educational materials due to increased use of technology,” Wright said. “But what has not changed is our core mission of transforming student lives and enriching our communities.”

She credited her team for making the library more than just a building. “This wouldn’t mean much without the folks who show up every day asking, ‘What can we do to help?’” Wright said.

Students have already embraced the new facility. Phi Theta Kappa president Mya Hardin of Water Valley helped move books back into the renovated library. “I see opportunity,” Hardin said. “I see support and I see a college willing to pour into their students.”

The R.C. Pugh Library, originally built in 1953, now stands as both a tribute to its history and a symbol of Northwest Mississippi Community College’s commitment to student success.