2008 Woodie Awards
School dedicates Campus Center
Virdi Auger-Velez
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: College News
| |
| |
|
Although the Campus Center has been open for student and administrative use for most of the spring semester, the grand opening marked the availability of all the center's services and features. It was also an opportunity for IUPUI to showcase the building to the public and guests from IU Bloomington, as well as contributing corporations and organizations.
Several events were scheduled throughout the day, ranging from the ribbon cutting and interfaith blessing ceremony, to live music, food, games, a pep rally and more.
One of the more formal events of the day was the dedication ceremony, which was held in the large multipurpose room.
The room was filled with excitement as guests arrived and began to occupy the many rows of folding chairs or spaces along the back walls. Everyone quieted down as the IU Jacobs School of Music Brass Quintet began to play, while the members of the platform party proceeded to the stage, wearing traditional academic robes, caps and adornments.
IU President Michael McRobbie welcomed the audience to the ceremony, which was followed by a greeting from IUPUI Chancellor Charles Bantz.
John Gardner, executive director for the Policy Center on the First Year of College, gave the keynote address.
Gardner explained the significance of the Campus Center to IUPUI and Indianapolis. He also gave a brief history of student unions and campus centers, and expressed his own high hopes for the center as a place of "inclusion, not exclusion … student gathering, fellowship and community."
Following his speech, President McRobbie awarded Gardner with an honorary degree for "Doctor of Humane Letters" from IU.
The audience enjoyed a rendition of "Back Home Again in Indiana" from the IU Jacobs School of Music Jazz trio, as the members of the platform party prepared for the presentation of the building.
President McRobbie explained that although it was customary for a faculty member of the board of trustees to participate, on this occasion it was more appropriate for a student member to present the building.
IU student trustee member Arthur King received the key from David King, the chairman and director of design for SmithGroup, which the school has hired to develop an architectural plan for IU. Arthur King then handed the key to President McRobbie, who held it above his head for the audience to see.
Next, a series of people, who spoke on behalf of various groups on campus, gave responses to the dedication. Campus Center Director Dan Maxwell, speaking on behalf of the Campus Center, referred to the center as the student version of "Cheers."
"It will be brought to life each and every day by you," Maxwell said.
Undergraduate Student Government President Sharee' Myricks thanked everyone for coming to the opening of "this Jag-nificent building." She encouraged students and faculty alike to take advantage of the various student organizations that now called the center home.
Both Myricks and Mitchum Owen, president of the Graduate Student organization, stressed the importance of collaboration between the various student organizations and groups on campus.
Steven J. Akard, director of international development for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and Carey Lynkins, president and CEO of Citizens Gas and Coke Utility, spoke on behalf of the alumni and the donors, respectively.
"We know that any investment made in IUPUI will be returned to the community many times over," Lynkins said.
For the closing ceremonies, McRobbie led the procession of the platform party off the stage and through the center of the seated crowd accompanied by music from the brass quintet.
More events and ceremonies will be held in the Campus Center during the remainder of the month. A complete list and schedule of activities is available on the Campus Center homepage
Be the first to comment on this story