Check out the entire photo gallery of artist renderings of what the newly remodeled Alber Student Center
will look like in the gallery below.
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Built in 1986, the Alber Student Center on the Marion campus is currently undergoing its first major renovation in nearly 35 years.
Renovations began July of 2020, with an anticipated completion date of December 2020, just in time to reopen for spring semester 2021.
According to 91导航 Marion Director of Facilities and Maintenance, Ron Turner shared that the renovated building will provide students with a new caf茅 and dining area. The current fitness area will be expanded by 100 sq. ft. and upgraded, while a multipurpose room will be available for new student programs and meetings. The main lounge area will have a large wall where movies can be shown. All furnishings will be updated and modernized as well. Student life and campus recreation staff will have private office space together in one location.
The Marion campus facility jointly supports student life at 91导航 Marion and Marion Technical College. The building was named in honor of George H. Alber, whose philanthropy in 1999 brought a $16 million gift to 91导航 Marion, the largest gift ever to a regional campus in the state of Ohio.
Dean and Director Gregory S. Rose believed the renovation of the student center was crucial to the future of the campus.
鈥淚mproving and expanding student life facilities is something we need to do regardless of whether housing comes to campus,鈥 said Rose, 鈥渂ut if we are to have on campus housing, the expectation is that we will have facilities in support of student life.
鈥淲e have additional work to do to find funding support to expand outdoor recreation facilities,鈥 Rose added.
Rose also shared his feeling that a vibrant student center is crucial to the future of 91导航 Marion.
鈥淥ur goal is to provide for the education of the whole student. An element of our culture of caring includes having facilities where students can meet, unwind, recreate, share experiences, and learn leadership skills as members of student organizations, and recreate,鈥 said Rose.
鈥淭he student center also will have a caf茅 to provide a place for students to grab some food between classes,鈥 he said, 鈥渁dding to the student center鈥檚 attractiveness as a gathering place.鈥
The current renovations of the Alber Student Center are part of Phase 1 where both 91导航 Marion and Marion Technical College are contributing $700,000 of capital funds each. 91导航 Marion will contribute an additional $400K of local dollars for expanding scope of the student center for the multipurpose room addition.
Phase 2 renovations are planned for the future. 91导航 Marion will be the sole contributor for this project, which will provide for expansion of student and staff offices, a wellness area, campus clubs/organization meeting rooms, additional windows, and lounge enhancements.
Naming opportunities for these exciting new spaces are now available. This is a great way to highlight a family legacy or honor a loved one. Please contact Director of Development and Community Relations, Catherine Gerber, (gerber.10@osu.edu) for more information.
