In Spring of 2026, the Randy Owen Center is slated to open its doors. The ROC, as it’s called for short, will be more than just another building on campus. It will serve as a hub of creativity and learning. Jax State wants to create a spark, a movement, a new beginning, a positive lasting impression in northeast Alabama, serving as a home of hope and inspiration for music and arts in the southeast. 

In addition to the newly constructed 1,001 seat concert hall, the existing structure and former First Baptist Church of Jacksonville will be repurposed as an educational wing, complete with a state-of-the-art recording studio and classroom, back of house spaces including dressing rooms and company management, a 450-seat recital hall, multiple event spaces, classrooms, office studios, and more. This creative use of spaces provides access to top-tier resources, aiding regional students and elevating their creative output. 

The ROC is designed to inspire a love of arts in all students, engage with lifelong learners seeking to elevate their passions, and enrich the JSU campus community. 

Did you know there are naming opportunities throughout the new and existing space? From seats to offices and classrooms, you can leave your mark on JSU and have a lasting legacy, inspiring students to reach their full potentials. For more information on these opportunities, contact Senior Philanthropy Officer Joseph Munster. 

Current List of Named Spaces: 

• The Phil & Denise Webb Concert Hall
• The Pi Kappa Phi Lobby
• The Linn Star Dressing Room
• The Dr. Rebecca O. Turner Recording Classroom
• Dr. Kenneth G. Bodiford Balcony 
• The Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. President’s Mezzanine
• The Jim and Cindy Schoeneck Mezzanine
• The Bayne Dobbins Choir Loft
• The Dr. Douglas Gordon Loft
• The Dr. Renée L. Baptiste Loft
• The Ken and Jenny Howell Dance Studio and Rehearsal Hall

We are so thankful for these donors’ support and their commitment to the future of Jax State. 

For more information, including a live stream of the work site and construction progress, please visit https://www.jsu.edu/roc/.