University of Detroit Mercy will hold a Grand Opening & Blessing of the institution’s new Student Union on Monday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m. This event takes place at the McNichols Campus, located in Northwest Detroit. Community members and the media are invited to this special event.
Expected guests at the grand opening include board of trustee members, representatives from architectural and construction firms, community leaders and other dignitaries.
The groundbreaking for the renovated Student Union took place in February 2021 and represents the first phase of the multi-year, multi-million-dollar McNichols Renovation Project. The project started with the renovation and expansion of the Student Union in addition to numerous other upgrades and renovations over the past two years. In the near future, the University will demo the Fisher Administration Center and Reno Hall. In addition to upgrades to academic buildings, administrative space and residence halls, the McNichols Renovation Project will include new on-campus student apartments and green space on newly acquired land.
In spite of the challenges communities and organizations across the world have faced in 2020 when the pandemic hit, this grand opening and blessing represent an important milestone in the University’s history, according to Detroit Mercy President Donald Taylor.
“We are extremely excited to welcome students, their families, alumni and our community friends to the new Student Union and look forward to providing exceptional services and support to them under one roof,” he said. “On behalf of Detroit Mercy, I want to also express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our alumni, donors, faculty, staff, contractors, and the community for their ongoing support of this historic institution of higher education. I also wish to pay a special thanks to Antoine M. Garibaldi for his vision. The contributions of everyone will make a huge difference in the lives of our students,” he added.
According to Debbie Stieffel, Detroit Mercy’s vice president of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, “Our new Student Union will be a gathering place for students, families, staff, faculty and the community – a place that brings people together. But it’s not just the building. It’s what will happen in the building which can be transformational. As Winston Churchill once said, ‘We shape our buildings: Thereafter, they shape us.’ We are so grateful for everyone who made this vision a reality.
The new Student Union offers a one-stop-shop for students and their families as they consider a Detroit Mercy education. The Union is the new home for all student-centered services, from admissions to financial aid to student life offices. Some of the facility’s features include:
- Ceiling-to-floor glass walls for natural illumination and excellent views of campus.
- Dynamic outdoor plaza for studying or gathering.
- Indoor refreshment station for students and staff alike.
- Social spaces designed specifically for students, from study pods to gaming areas.
Learn more about the McNichols Renovation Project.
