LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Simmons College of Kentucky held a move-in day for students at its new residential building, marking the first time the college has had student housing in 100 years. 

Students received a warm welcome from college staff members as they entered Morrison Hall.

“I can’t express the joy that comes to my heart when we’re seeing high school students and traditional students come in,” said Courtney Standard, director for student services at Simmons College.

Freshman Kani Johnson, who is from Cincinnati, got to Louisville Sunday morning for the move-in. He will be playing on the basketball team and studying business. Johnson said he felt somewhat overwhelmed. 

“The drive was cool, but when we got here, it was stressful,” Johnson said.

The building was purchased from Spalding University, and $1 million was spent on renovations.

“I cannot express how much this means to the institution, how much it means to me that our students have some place they can call home and we can call ours so it’s a really huge, historical, monumental moment for Simmons College of Kentucky,” Standard said.

Johnson had several of his family members with him to help move in. It also gave them the opportunity to meet some staff and get an idea of what the environment is like.

“I think he’s going to have a great time,” said Johnson’s great uncle, Clarence Ates. “I’m hoping he will. I think this is a great school, from what I’ve seen thus far and from some of the students I met downstairs."

"We met his coach and everything. He’s going to have a lot of support, so I think he’s going to do very well here.”

Johnson will be surrounded by about 100 other freshmen who also moved in Sunday, July 28.

The north tower of Morrison Hall can house up to 204 students and is open to students. The south tower, which can house up to 132 students, is closed for remodeling.

Simmons College is planning to hold an official dedication and naming ceremony of its new housing facility in Sept. 2024.