Buildings History

The Cate-Park Center was built in two stages.

The first stage, the Cate College and Continuing Education Center,  had its groundbreaking ceremony on Founders’ Day, February 26, 1971; the completed building was dedicated and formally named for Kemp Shields Cate in 1974.  The Center was the last building in the $5 million Meredith College Advancement Campaign.

The new building included the Kresge auditorium, snack bar, game room, bookstore, post office, and a lounge area with a round fireplace.

Kemp Shields Cate, an investment and tax consultant was honored for his generosity to Meredith College. Mr. Cate had multiple family members that attended Meredith College, including his sister Julia Elizabeth Cate Arrowood, niece Jane Cate Fowler, and great-niece Frances Cate (Class of 1976.)

The second phase was initiated in 1995 when the Board of Trustees gave approval for  $1.8 million updates and additions to the Cate Student Center. Construction began in January 1996.  Decisions about the building’s features and design, including a skylight, a game room and color schemes were heavily influenced by student suggestions and planning. Other additions included a new elevator, an ATM machine, a computer lab and the Beehive Cafe. After delays due to weather problems and necessary asbestos abatement, the newly named Cate/Park Center was dedicated on February 14, 1997.

In 1996, the Alumnae Affairs Department initiated the Memorial Bricks Project. For $100, an engraved brick could be purchased and placed as part of the border of one of two patios, one of which is located between Harris Building and Park Center. The project was completed in the fall of 1998. 

In 1999, a mural commissioned by the Class of 1997, was dedicated in the Center. Created by Linda Poole Fitz-Simons (Class of 1973) the mural is a birds-eye view of the campus interwoven with the names of 100 accomplished Meredith College graduates from 1899-1999. The artwork is accompanied with a arrangement of tiles, each with a biography of the honorees and their senior year photograph. 

Updates to the Cate/Park Center were funded in part by the Park Foundation: Dorothy Dent Park graduated from Meredith College in 1936.