The University of Mary Washington marked the beginning of construction of the new campus center in a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Sept. 20.
The four-story building, in the footprint of the former Chandler Hall, will be located on Ball Circle with an entrance facing College Avenue.
SGA President Stephanie Preston thanked President Hurley and the Board of Visitors for recognizing the need for a central hub of student activity located in the heart of our campus.
“This new space will bridge all aspects of student life,” she said. “It will combine all the student engagement resources that we require as leisure spaces. Everything that students need on a daily basis will be located under one roof.”
Members of the Fredericksburg community were also on-hand for the ceremony, including City Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw.
“UMW students and faculty contribute to the city in many ways,” she said. “We salute you for your excellent campus center, as it will be yet another link to the community.”
The new campus center will create and enhance community space at UMW. When complete, the entry level will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with ample seating and a working fireplace. The more than 104,000-square-foot building also will include a retail bookstore, a large ballroom, and numerous student offices and meeting spaces. In addition, the campus center will be the new home for the James Farmer Multicultural Center; the Center for Honor, Leadership and Service; and for student dining.
“Mary Washington is a ‘home away from home’ for our students and we truly want to make it our ‘campus living room’ – a space that will be welcoming and comfortable for faculty, staff, students and visitors,” said Pamela J. White, rector of the Board of Visitors.
The campus center is expected to open by fall of 2015. For updates on the construction, visit https://www.umw.edu/campuscenter/.
