Ground Breaking Ceremony
Held for New Conference Center

Ground breaking ceremony for the FSU Conference Center. Use controls in video frame to control audio and video play.

6.26.08 - The ground was officially broken for the new Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center during a ceremony held on Thursday, June 26. The event was attended by nearly 100 university officials and staff, as well as many distinguished guests including several Turnbull family members and former conference center employees. The new center, named for the late FSU Provost Gus Turnbull, will be approximately 47,000 square feet featuring a Jacobethan-style brick exterior. The technologically-advanced, world-class facility will offer an auditorium, banquet hall, executive boardroom, breakout rooms, computer labs, food preparation facilities, and administrative offices.

As master of ceremonies, FSU Vice President of Planning & Programs, Bob Bradley, welcomed visitors and recognized the Turnbull family members in attendance, including Turnbull's sister Francis Turnbull Dietz, as well as former conference center director, Mary Pankowski. Dr. Bradley also acknowledged the current APPS staff who will be working in the new building on completion. Other speakers included Turnbull's widow, Marjorie Turnbull, a former Leon County Commissioner and state legislator, and APPS director Bill Lindner, whose remarks both focused on the vital role the new center will play in attracting regional, national, and international academic conference attendees to Florida State and the surrounding community.

View links to local coverage:
Tallahassee Democrat
WTXL TV
WCTV TV
FSU News.com

Ground Breaking Ceremony Gallery

Ceremonial shovels and hard hats.

Audience at the ceremony.

Director Bill Lindner addressing the crowd.

Breaking the ground.

Keep up with the progress of the new Conference Center.