"Our Campus Center puts Concordia on more even footing with other schools in the region, either public or private," says Morris Lanning, vice president for Student Affairs. "It's been on our master plan since 1997 and serious planning began in spring 2000, so this is the culmination of some long-held dreams."
As well it should. A central feature of the design is above-ground dining.
"One of the important places to meet each other is during meals, and now for the first time in 112 years, our students at mealtime will have nice views of the campus through large windows," says Lanning. "Moving our dining room to the main floor is one of the important features of the Campus Center."
But there's more be excited about. The scale of the Campus Center is in harmony with surrounding campus buildings, reflects the architectural style of the Edward Sövick-designed Ylvisaker Library and Knutson Center Centrum, and is clad in the traditional "Concordia Blend" of beige brick.
The Campus Center creates a new west entrance to the campus with pedestrian drop points near the building, enhanced landscaping, and additional parking. Construction time is 20 months, including substantial remodeling of interior spaces, and updating of the Knutson Centrum.
"The Campus Center has a very human scale to it," says Lanning. "We don't want people walking around campus feeling they are in concrete canyons. This is a very harmonious addition to our campus."
