MVSU’s Walter Roberts Auditorium seating upgrades project completed

July 10, 2020

ITTA BENA, Miss.—Mississippi Valley State University’s Walter Roberts Auditorium has received a facelift.

The auditorium recently underwent a $400,000 seating upgrade project. After seven months, the upgrades to the former H.G. Carpenter Auditorium, which was first constructed in 1959 and renamed in April of 2017, are now complete.

“The auditorium not only looks great but addresses all ADA and safety concerns with the new layout,” said Terrence Hurssey, Sr., MVSU’s director of Facilities Management.

According to Hurssey, the 1,394-seating capacity auditorium now has larger seats, LED aisle lights and new glass doors as required by the American Disability Act (ADA) standards.

The seats were manufactured by Lancaster and also include ADA flip-up arms with wood arm caps that complement the vinyl green finish.  

MVSU President Dr. Jerryl Briggs Sr. said the completion of the project is a great benefit to MVSU and surrounding areas.

“The renovated Walter Roberts Auditorium provides us with a state-of-the-art facility where we will be able to host on-campus and community-based events for our university and surrounding communities,” he said. “I am so pleased to see this project completed and look forward to others to follow. We are definitely keeping ‘Valley in Motion.'"