'Bold step forward': Virginia State University dedicates the largest building on its campus

A plaque is unveiled during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons June 27, 2025, on the campus of Virginia State University.

Calling it “more than just a building,” officials of Virginia State University unveiled what is described as the largest facility ever constructed on its Ettrick campus. 

In a ceremony June 27, VSU cut the ribbon on the Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons, a $120 million, 174,000-square-foot building that will serve many purposes. In addition to providing a space for students to study and socialize, it will also host VSU’s College of Humanities & Science and its College of Education. 

The building is not yet finished, but VSU expects it to be ready for students this August. As attendees gathered in the lobby, crews worked around them both inside and outside. 

The $56 million, 174,000-square foot Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons will be ready for Virginia State University students in time for the fall 2025 semester.

Rector: VSU inspires 'dreams'

VSU said it opted for the ribbon-cutting now instead of closer to the beginning of the school year so that members of the Board of Visitors who are rotating off July 1 could take part in the festivities. One of those leaving is Dr. Valerie Brown, the longtime rector and one of the speakers at the event. 

“The Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons is more than just a building,” she said. “It is a bold step forward that exemplifies our commitment to academic excellence, innovation, creativity, and providing space for both our faculty and staff to come together and thrive together.” 

In addition to hosting the two schools, the Academic Commons will be home to a gymnasium, swimming pool, theatre and exhibition gallery. 

Brown, a member of the VSU Class of 1978, said she could remember “walking the campus with a heart that was full of love and laughter and gratitude, and most of all, dreams. 

“Dreams of what this university was inspiring me to be,” she said. “Dreams that this university created in me but also the confidence to, just, go out and take over the world, and leadership. And I love Virginia State University.” 

A memorial to founder's legacy

Development of the Academic Commons began in 2018. It survived the COVID-19 pandemic and caused concerns in the mind of VSU President Dr. Makola Abdullah about it seeing the light of day. 

“But through the support of the Virginia General Assembly, our biggest support from our elected leaders and governors, people showed a really strong commitment to making sure this project would be completed,” Abdullah said after the ceremony. 

Named for the 19th-century Virginia state legislator who founded VSU in 1882, the Academic Commons sits on the former site of Harris Hall. VSU said one goal of the building is to serve as a legacy of what Harris said was a “place where all can go and drink from the fountain of knowledge.” 

Harris

At the center of the property will be a fountain to memorialize what Harris said. The curved building curves around that fountain, and the words are inscribed in a circle that will be the fountain’s base. 

The idea for the commons came from a trip several years ago VSU staffers took to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg to see what that university had to offer its community.

"It was called the 'Classroom Building,'" Jane Harris, VSU's assistant vice president for capital outlay, said at the ceremony. "We saw it, and we loved it."

That became the prototype for the building in which everyone stood for the ceremony.

A little something extra

Virginia State University leaders pose with a $100,000 donation to the school from outgoing VSU Rector Dr. Valerie Brown and her husband, Dr. Kim Brown, rector of Norfolk State University.

The ceremony was more than just speeches and a cut ribbon. Brown and her husband Kim – the rector of Norfolk State University – presented the college with a $100,000 donation. In presenting the check, Brown paraphrased scripture from the Bible – “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

“They say you can tell if you really love something because if you love it, you will put your dollars behind it,” she said. “So, on this day when I say I love Virginia State and I really do, I cannot leave this moment without leaving some of my treasures here.” 

When a prototype of the check was presented, the attendees erupted in applause. Brown and her husband then posed for photos with Abdullah and the VSU Board.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at [email protected] or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.