MUM Community Center Celebrates 1st Birthday

Associate Dean for Student Affairs,

James Ewers, said MUM's new

Campus Community Center is state of the art.

BY LAURA RICHEY
Oct. 9, 2007

Whether you stop by for a bite to eat, catch a show on the plasma television, play a game of pool or just hang out with friends, chances are you use the $5 million, year-old Campus and Community Center if you visit Miami University Middletown (MUM).

“Miami University Middletown's new Campus and Community Center, though open only one year, is proving its worth as an asset to the people it was designed to serve,” said MUM Dean Kelly Cowan.

The one-story structure, designed by Michael Schuster Associates of Cincinnati, is built on the regional campuses southeastern corner of Johnston Hall, with dual entrances for the community and student wings.

“I use the center for all sorts of stuff, eating and hanging out mostly. It is a great place to see and be seen,” said junior psychology major Sarah Showalter.

Approximately one third of the 21,600 square foot center already existed and was renovated as part of the new building.

The center “is one of the jewels on our campus as it allows us to host local, regional and national programs and activities,” said Associate Dean for Student Affairs, James B. Ewers. “It is a state of the art addition, which will figure prominently in our future.”

MUM's previous facilities – in Johnston Hall and Verity Lodge – were inadequate and outdated with limited access. Since Hawk Haven—the previous cafeteria and student union area-- was created 23 years ago, campus enrollment has doubled. The campus hosts an increasing number of campus and community events.

“Community businesses and organizations increasingly rely on campus facilities for a variety of functions including meeting space for public and private organizations, cultural events, community forums, seminars, workshops and training classes,” Sherry Pieratt, retired campus’ Director of Development said.

The center is fully accessible to the disabled and equipped with up-to-date telecommunications, audio-visual equipment, and internet access for meetings, seminars, workshops and special events. The community wing of the center features a large multi-purpose room, two adjacent meeting rooms and a catering kitchen.

MUM faculty secretaries, Tyra Day and Tammy Lewis, come to the center to eat but added they “wish the school wouldn’t hold events during lunch like karaoke because it is just too loud.”

Also included in the center are a food court, recreational and meeting spaces, and performance areas, as well as new offices and meeting areas for student affairs, student government, and other student groups.

Michael Governanti, former MUM executive director said the center is designed so that, “students, faculty and staff can come together to share a meal or have a cup of coffee in an informal setting while exchanging ideas. A great deal of education includes that kind of engagement in addition to what happens in the classroom.”

The center's $5 million cost was covered by donors support, state funds and businesses contributions.

“This campus is probably one of the best things that ever happened to this community,” said Ely P. Roland Jr., retired vice president and senior trust officer at First Financial Bank and one of 40 members of the committee that helped raise funds for the Center. “This is the time for everyone in the community to give back for the benefit of the school and the community.”

Sitting with her laptop, MUM student Megan Williams said she uses the facility for academics. “I do homework and stuff like that here on my computer because it is not as crowded as the computer lab, the 19-year-old education major said.

For more information on the center, including reservation information contact MUM Director of Physical Facilities, Chuck Mack at mackcg@muohio.edu or call 513-727-3377.