At approximately 4 p.m. on April 8—under a warm spring sun—Anderson University proudly broke ground on the G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center. About 150 students, AU officials, and community members, gathered at the future site of the building.
The $15.2 million, 86,000-square-foot student center will include a 600-seat dining hall, a campus bookstore, offices and meeting rooms, gathering spaces, a fitness center, an outdoor plaza, an international news center, a 400-seat banquet hall and a 400-seat theater. Additionally, it will house a Chick-fil-A Express and Einstein Bros. Bagels.
“It’s definitely an expansion—both economically and for student development, especially with the Chick-fil-A,” said freshman business major Emory Childress.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, University President Dr. Evans Whitaker recognized the project’s architect, DP3 Architects, and builder, Rodgers Builders. Representatives from both companies thanked the AU community and discussed the construction, which is expected to take 14 months.
Student Government Association President Margaret Campbell said what will happen inside the building is what will matter most. It will be a place to foster fellowship and community, a place where memories will be made, she said.
The student center is named in honor of federal judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr., an Anderson native and supporter of the university.