Jersey City, N.J. – Saint Peter’s College today marked the official groundbreaking on its first ever student center. The development of this 90,000-square-foot, six-story facility is the central component of Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College, the largest capital campaign in the College’s history. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of the community and local politicians joined President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., Campaign Chairman Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68, and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy to celebrate this exciting initiative for the College and the community.
“Facilities matter to today’s student,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s College. “The student center will become a sorely needed anchor on campus – both literally and figuratively – enabling residential and commuter students alike to learn, lead, and serve in a state-of-the-art space designed for today’s student.”
Dr. Cornacchia announced the official name of the future center as The Mac Mahon Student Center in honor of Campaign Chairman Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68, whose $7.5 million gift is the largest in College history.
“I am delighted that in some small way my name will be attached to Saint Peter’s College for many generations to come,” said Mac Mahon, who shared his personal experiences as both a student and alumnus of the College with those in attendance.
Mayor Healy spoke in strong support of the center and credited the project as “not only the first student center for Saint Peter’s College, but the first step towards the revitalization plan for McGinley Square.”
The new student center is slated for completion in 2013 and will ultimately span the east side of the Jersey City campus from Glenwood Avenue to Montgomery Street. The signature building will not only transform the physical campus and help to attract high caliber students, but it will also serve as a dynamic hub of activity for the College community with a new home for dining, fitness, learning and socializing.
“As our college grows, this center will be a great tool in helping to attract a greater number of students and enhancing the College’s reputation,” said Venny Jean Turner, president of the Student Government Association. “This student center will also affect the current student population. Students have shared their excitement with me about finally having a new and modern space to study, meet, and hang out with their friends.”
The design for the center was developed based on the input of students. Highlights of the space include cozy living room areas, a coffee shop, a campus store, spacious dining and student activities areas, fitness and gaming rooms, and more. The center will also serve the local community through The Duncan Family Sky Room, which will offer panoramic views and seating for up to 430 people.
For more information, or to make a gift to Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College, please visit www.spc.edu/campaign.
To view photos from the groundbreaking, please click here.
The groundbreaking program can be viewed below:
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Saint Peter’s College, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.
Contact:
Angeline Boyer
(201) 761-6238
aboyer1@spc.edu