The newly renovated Student Center, named after the late John Lewis, brings new amenities to the campus community along with renewed returning favorites.
Outside the John Lewis Student Center, which will open late July 22.
The John Lewis Student Center and Stamps Commons reopened after two years of renovations, completing the final phase of the Campus Center project, which includes an exhibit hall and pavilions. The entire project consists of five buildings with 232,350 square feet of interior space and is spread over 11 acres. In addition to the building’s innovative features, the new student center embraces the themes of community and safety, and plays an integral role in advancing the vision and mission of the Division of Student Engagement and Safety.
“Student safety was at the forefront of designing every feature and space,” said Lindsay Bryant, senior director of student and campus event centers. “Lounge spaces, outdoor seating, and connecting the experiential pathway to the building contribute to a heightened sense of connection and belonging.” This advances one of the four goals of the new Developing Safety Action and Transformation Roadmap for Students.
Prominent at the building’s main entrance on the second floor is a large mural of the late U.S. Representative John Lewis. The student center was renamed after the civil rights leader, who was an influential student leader during his time in college. Also, an endowment named to honor Lewis’ legacy provides comprehensive, comprehensive leadership development opportunities for student leaders, including some scholarships.
The project itself was “student-centered.” “Student voices helped convey the need for expansion, students voted on mandatory fees to support the project, and students were involved in the planning and management of the project,” said Luolo Hong, vice president of student engagement and well-being. “It is this type of student support and leadership that we want to highlight through the John Lewis Student Leadership Pathways program.”
Renovated spaces on the first floor include Tech Rec and the Georgia Tech Post Office. Some new additions include a late-night restaurant connected to the bowling alley and a theater that hosts guest speakers and events. Outside the first floor entrance, construction continues on the campanile. Completion of this campus landmark is set for late September.
Student organization space has been expanded to the second and third floors and is called the Student Organization Center. Student media moved from the Smithgal Student Services (Flag) building to the Student Center and WREK Radio is back now that construction is complete. The move offers these organizations greater community and student interaction.
Waiting meeting rooms are located on the third floor, named after streets in the 5th Congressional District, which John Lewis represented from 1987 to 2020. Also located on this floor is a 298-seat theater, which was once an auditorium in the former student center. , and administrative offices, now known as the Student and Campus Events Center (SCEC). This team manages and hosts programs in a variety of innovative spaces, including the Graduate Student Lounge and Multicultural Lounge, as well as favorites such as the Reflection Space and the Student Center Programs Council. The Student Engagement Center is also located on the top floor of the building.
The Student Center is just one place managed by SCEC. Other venues managed by this group include the Exhibition Hall, Historic Medical Academy, Pavilions and West Village. For information on how to reserve spaces in these buildings or to reserve outdoor and classroom spaces, visit studentcenter.gatech.edu/reservable-spaces.
A formal dedication to honor the Lewis family will be held on September 29, along with an event designed to celebrate and renew the Yellow Jacket community. For more information, visit studentcenter.gatech.edu.
