One turn of the shovel signaled a new beginning this week for current and future students at Alcorn State University. Construction began on the school’s first new residence hall on the Lorman campus in a quarter of a century. And the same day ground was broken for what will become Mississippi’s only metrology laboratory.

When completed next year, the $6.7 million dorm will house 151 residents and feature two lobbies and a large dining hall.

The new dorm isn’t a luxury. It is badly needed at the historically black university.

Last year more than 150 students criticized the school for the poor conditions at two of the dorms. Students complained about overcrowding, exposed pipes and wiring and a lack of fire extinguishers and properly working smoke detectors.

Since almost 80 percent of the school’s student body lives on campus, adequate housing is crucial.

Another campus construction site was begun this week too.

Alcorn’s new metrology laboratory will be useful to folks all over the state.

It will serve as a measurement center for industries, government agencies, commerce and research institutions.

Previously measurement devices had to be sent out of state for calibration and maintenance work. Soon that work will be heading to the Alcorn campus.

This week’s ground-breaking ceremonies illustrate the direction Alcorn is heading and shows their commitment to the student body’s quality of life as well as academics.

Such projects continue to make us proud to call them our neighbors.