N.C. A&T Alumni Times

After years of awaiting the New Student Center, the ribbon-cutting ceremony displayed how the new building has come to fruition. The New Student Center officially opened on Thursday, Sept. 27.

The ceremony included a program of esteemed guests as well as student leaders from the campus.

Carl Baker, executive director of the Student Center opened the ceremony. During his opening, he outlined three main interest that students desired from the New Student Center. These desires included more dining spaces, meeting rooms and lounge areas.

The ceremony consisted of student leaders DreShaun Jarmon, SUAB president and Delaney Vandergrift, SGA president. Vandergrift publicly thanked civil engineering alumni Christian Stowe, and Jarmon displayed the essentialism of having an active student center.

More speakers of the ceremony included Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr., Board of Trustees Chair, Timothy King, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Melody Pierce and Associate Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance-Facilities, Andrew M. Perkins Jr.

The New Student Center dining options:

Chick-Fil-A
Sub-connection
Aggie Wings
Starbucks
Marketplace Dining – alternative option to Williams Dining Hall
1891 Bistro
Einstein Brothers Bagel Shop
1891 Bistro – will offer several appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and salads.

The building includes over 18 meeting spaces.

Students will have access to blue rooms for their study needs. The area gets its name from the primary blue color used in the design of the space. Private study rooms can also be reserved.

Lounging areas along the side of the stairs are provided for students to congregate and are a significant part of the design of the New Student Center.

“We did this to create synergy as everything is intentional,” said Baker.

First floor

Entering the building on the first level, the open space of the atrium is the first sight by visitors.

At the center of the atrium is the bright, gold monumental stairway. multimedia boards, as well as the information desk.

“We created a very open space where students can see and be seen,” said Baker.

Recreational and gaming rooms were implemented as well. Students will be able to shop on the first floor of the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, which will also include a Starbucks cafe.

Second floor

The second floor offers an abundance of areas for lounging, meeting, and studying. The second floor includes the second level of the bookstore where textbooks will be located.

The Aggie OneCard office will be located on the second floor in room 242.

The ballroom can be used in its entirety or split into two separate rooms. The ballroom also provides access to a balcony.

Third floor

The third floor is mainly filled with office spaces.

The Office of Student Activities office will provide rooms and spaces for student use. The Council of Presidents and the National-Panhellenic Council have meeting spaces within these offices.

The Student University Activities Board has an office suite provided to them.

The Student Government Association has their own office suite

As of now, there is no official name for the New Student Center building. Naming opportunities are present for the central lounge, quiet lounge, electronic gaming room, billiards room, ballroom, terraces, small meeting rooms, large meeting rooms, large multipurpose room, meditation room, multicultural center and director’s suite conference room.

If interested in naming, contact University Advancement at 336-334-7600.

“There is nothing more important than the student experience here at N.C. A&T and we know that this building is going to enhance that experience beyond our expectations,” said Vandergrift.