University Center

Originally built in 1957 and expanded in 1960 and 1987, the Rankin Center served as the University's student center for decades. As the needs of the student body evolved, the space required significant renovation to meet both campus and building requirements for a modernized University Center.

A visioning study was conducted to determine the appropriate location and desired spaces for this modern, future-oriented student facility. The transformation allowed the University Center to be located in the heart of the campus and serve as a gathering space for residential and commuter students, a home for student organizations, and a place of interaction between faculty/staff, students and community members. The appropriate mix of food, retail and entertainment options appeal to all campus constituencies.

As the project team completed work in the existing building, they carefully accommodated construction around the Information Technology (IT) Hub that is housed within the University Center. Since the IT department needed to continue normal operations, Christman ensured that the work was expertly coordinated so that the space remained usable and clean.