University Marks Campus Growth in Twin Ceremonies
Group Breaks Ground on ATEC Building, Dedicates Visitor Center and Bookstore
A crowd gathered at UT Dallas on Wednesday to celebrate two more milestones in campus growth: the official start of construction on the new Arts and Technology building and the successful opening of the Visitor Center and University Bookstore.
Off-campus guests, including local elected officials, joined faculty, staff and students at the 9 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony for the Arts and Technology (ATEC) building. Construction of the 155,000-squre-foot facility is scheduled for completion in 2013.
Student Government President Brittany Sharkey Andrews said she has already enjoyed shopping for Comet spirit gear and studying in the bustling atrium at the new Visitor Center and University Bookstore.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in the spacious, multipurpose atrium at the Visitor Center and University Bookstore building.
After the ceremonial dirt was turned, the group made its way to the Visitor Center and University Bookstore (VCB) for a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 33,000-square-foot building was brought online in eight months under a “fast-track” construction program.
Dr. Calvin Jamison, senior vice president for business affairs and master of ceremonies at both locations, praised the “remarkable collaboration” that produced the ATEC building design, and said the VCB would answer many needs for more space on campus.
The event was capped with a casual reception in the VCB Atrium, where the Coffee Shop treated guests to samples, and the Bookstore and Tech Store held drawings for gadgets.
The Arts and Technology building will house 2,150 new classroom seats, 50 faculty offices and a 1,200-seat lecture hall.
Click
here to read this story on the UT Dallas website.