On March 9, NNU and the local community gathered to celebrate breaking ground for the new Student Commons—a building that will serve as an intentional space for students to interact, live and learn together.
“We are moving from a student center that has been a place for students to stop by to eat, pick up their meal or walk through to class, and we’re moving to a student commons where students are going to want to be,” said Vice President for Student Life Carey Cook. “This is going to be the building for so many memories you’ll make—where some of the best friendships you’ll ever have were made, where a lot of laughing will happen, and where so many life lessons will be learned. It’s going to be a place of belonging for all students.”
“This is going to be the building for so many memories you’ll make.... It’s going to be a place of belonging for all students.”
After nine months of public fundraising, NNU exceeded its $16.5 million goal for the Student Commons project in February. Thanks to the generosity of the global NNU community, these funds will cover the full cost of construction and do not include any federal, state or tuition dollars. Construction is expected to take 18 months with a projected move-in date of December 2019.
When completed, this building will provide space for dining, events, studying, hanging out, and welcoming visitors to campus. Moreover, it will house offices integral to student life, making student services more accessible.
“We believe education occurs inside the classroom and outside the classroom—in spaces like Leah Peterson Learning Commons, athletic fields, residence halls, Johnson Sports Center, the Brandt Fine Arts & Convocation Center,” added President Joel Pearsall. “Therefore, as we add the new Student Commons to our campus, we believe that we are expanding our educational space. For it is in spaces like this structure that NNU students will be educated in heart, soul and mind.”
Student Commons building highlights:
- 48,000 square feet dedicated to the community life of our students
- New entrance to campus with increased space for visitor parking and an Admissions Welcome Center
- Enhanced dining and kitchen facility
- Large multi-use space for student and campus events
- Abundant outdoor and indoor living space designed for students to hang out
- Office space for more accessible student services (Student Government Association, Office of Student Life, Career Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of University Mission & Ministry)
- Journeys Outfitting Co. Center, which equips students for outdoor experiences by providing gear, bike-repair services, and activity planning and funding
- Meeting and study rooms
- President’s Dining Room