On August 25, 2023, school officials, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members came together to cut the ribbon on the Joan Perry Brock Center - labeled JPB by the Longwood community.
In April 2019, Longwood University announced the largest donation in school history: $15 million from philanthropist Joan Perry Brock ‘64 to build a campus events center in the heart of campus. The center was made part of the University Master Plan - the same plan that brought Allen Hall, Brock Hall, Sharp and Register Halls, the transformation of Curry and Frazer into Moss and Johns, and more to campus.
At the ribbon cutting, Longwood President W. Taylor Reveley IV referred to JPB as a “magnificent work,” declaring that it will become the “heartbeat of campus.” Other notable speakers at the event included SGA President Meredith Foster ‘25, Women’s Basketball Player Anne-Hamilton LeRoy ‘23, Men’s Basketball Player DA Houston ‘24, Rector of the Board of Visitors Katharine Bond ‘98, and philanthropist and building namesake Joan Perry Brock ‘64.
In her remarks, Brock noted the strategic placement of JPB, saying, “What a great idea, right in the middle of campus, uniting the whole Longwood Community.” Brock also primarily highlighted the roles of Reveley and Men’s Head Basketball Coach Griff Aldrich in the development of JPB and the Men’s Basketball Program.
While discussing Aldrich, who was hired in 2018 and whose contract was recently extended until 2034, she jokingly referred to his hiring as “probably one of the best decisions [Reveley]’s made for Longwood recently.” She dedicated much of her speech to praising his coaching style, focusing on the “Longwood Five: Excellence, Grit, Humility, Gratitude, Service.”
Following this, the crowd of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members counted down - and the ribbon was cut by the aforementioned speakers and others.
The Joan Perry Brock Center holds 3,000 Seats, a new team store, a President’s Suite, and many other features that Longwood community members saw as they entered. After community members toured the arena, Brock made the symbolic first basket in JPB, assisted by a ladder and President Reveley.
Later in the day, the Longwood community utilized JPB for various activities, including the 2023-24 scarf reveal and distribution and the G.A.M.E., which were relocated to the new arena due to extreme heat. After this, Reveley, Dean of the Cormier Honors College Chris Kukk, and others led the first pep rally in 'JPB.'
The Longwood community has already made use of JPB, holding this year’s Convocation in the center. Furthermore, Longwood has announced a comedy show by Stand-Up Comedian Derrick Stroup to be held on September 28 and will announce a live concert on October 27 in the coming weeks. Men’s and Women’s basketball openers are slated for November 11 and 12, respectively.
“It is your energy that is going to catalyze this place. You are going to cherish it, I can promise you that,” Reveley said, turning his remarks to the students, and more specifically the Class of 2024. “Now, in your Senior year, you get to enjoy this magnificent space, and I want you to make the most of it.”
Joan Perry Brock and others cut the ribbon at JPBPhoto by Anthony AndersonAnthonyAndersonFmr. Editor-In-Chief
Anthony.Anderson@live.longwood.edu
