New fountains magnify charm of Lake Kernan

Folks walking past Lake Kernan are taking double-takes because of the new fountains that have turned the area into being picture postcard worthy.

The new fountains are part of the Campus Beautification Initiative launched earlier this year by then-Student Government Association President Demetrius Sumner.

Funding for the state-of-the-art fountains was available in February but issues with the electrical grid powering the fountains caused delays.

“Former President Sumner said he recognized, with the financial challenges the university was facing, it was essential that the students made a more considerable contribution to enhancing student life and campus beauty,” said Dr. Brandon Dumas, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

The SGA dedicated around $35,000 to purchase the fountains. The fountains are equipped with safeguards to ensure their long life. The waterfalls, from the three fountains, also illuminate at night. 

The Office for Facility Services has expressed interest in contacting a company that will clean the lake three times a month. The Ag Center student organizations have committed to providing ducks, plants and other additions for the lake.

“The final result will be the complete revitalization of Lake Kernan as a key identifier on Southern University’s campus,” Dumas said.

The final part of the Beautification Initiative will be the renovation of the Residential Basketball Courts. Work will start later this summer and is expected to be completed by late August.

There will be four, regulation-sized, striped half-courts and sidewalks. The cost of the project will be around $75,000.