UM students flock to new University Center
By: Beth Spencer
Issue date: 3/16/10 Section: News
Several thousand University of Memphis students crowded around living statue performance artists, shot pool and took advantage of new dining options to celebrate the grand opening of the new University Center.
Students jammed to music from Soundfuzion and Rockasaurus Rex, played Rock Band 2 and laser tag, and laughed at comedian Bobby Miyamoto at UnloCked, the UC's opening celebration, Monday night.
Since the demolition of the old building in March 2007, the UC has been under construction, and dates for its grand opening were pushed back multiple times.
"We're excited to finally have it open and share it with students," said Bob Barnett, director of the UC. "It's just a fantastic building."
The building's business was steady on its opening day, he said, without the expected lull after lunch.
"Students are just excited," Barnett said. "They've been waiting for this for a long time, and it has exceeded a lot of their expectations."
Meanwhile, crowds were sparse in the Tiger Den, where freshman anthropology major Zan Roach had lunch.
"I'm comfortable here," he said. "I have some emotional attachment to this place."
The Tiger Den's location on campus could keep students eating there because it is a shorter distance from most of the buildings than the UC, freshman film major Andrew Woods said.
"The Tiger Den is centrally located," he said. "The new UC is all the way over by Southern."
Some students, like Brandon Showmar, freshman undecided major, said the building's bright lights and architecture make it visually appealing.
"I feel like I'm in the future," he said. "It's pretty beautiful."
Besides its aesthetic appeal, the new UC has improved acoustics, said Will Hanlon, junior hospitality major, who performs with U of M ensemble Soundfuzion.
"It's very impressive," he said. "The feel and sound is going to be great."
Josh Fitchpatric, senior communications major, said the shiny new building will improve socialization among students on campus.
Students jammed to music from Soundfuzion and Rockasaurus Rex, played Rock Band 2 and laser tag, and laughed at comedian Bobby Miyamoto at UnloCked, the UC's opening celebration, Monday night.
Since the demolition of the old building in March 2007, the UC has been under construction, and dates for its grand opening were pushed back multiple times.
"We're excited to finally have it open and share it with students," said Bob Barnett, director of the UC. "It's just a fantastic building."
The building's business was steady on its opening day, he said, without the expected lull after lunch.
"Students are just excited," Barnett said. "They've been waiting for this for a long time, and it has exceeded a lot of their expectations."
Meanwhile, crowds were sparse in the Tiger Den, where freshman anthropology major Zan Roach had lunch.
"I'm comfortable here," he said. "I have some emotional attachment to this place."
The Tiger Den's location on campus could keep students eating there because it is a shorter distance from most of the buildings than the UC, freshman film major Andrew Woods said.
"The Tiger Den is centrally located," he said. "The new UC is all the way over by Southern."
Some students, like Brandon Showmar, freshman undecided major, said the building's bright lights and architecture make it visually appealing.
"I feel like I'm in the future," he said. "It's pretty beautiful."
Besides its aesthetic appeal, the new UC has improved acoustics, said Will Hanlon, junior hospitality major, who performs with U of M ensemble Soundfuzion.
"It's very impressive," he said. "The feel and sound is going to be great."
Josh Fitchpatric, senior communications major, said the shiny new building will improve socialization among students on campus.