{"id":1242,"date":"2022-12-19T18:34:30","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T18:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/?p=1242"},"modified":"2022-12-19T18:36:41","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T18:36:41","slug":"uapb-breaks-ground-on-new-33-million-student-activity-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/uapb-breaks-ground-on-new-33-million-student-activity-center\/","title":{"rendered":"<strong>UAPB breaks ground on new $33 million student activity center<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By The Daily Informer Staff \u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uapb.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB)\">The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB)<\/a> and University of Arkansas System leadership recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the university\u2019s new $33 million Student Engagement Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The nearly 62,000-square-foot center will become a hub for campus and community health education and engagement, student health and wellness, assessment, and counseling. The groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 16 included UAPB Chancellor Laurence Alexander, University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt, \u00a0and Col. Nathaniel Todd (Ret.), a member of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other attendees included UAPB Vice Chancellors Carla Martin and Elbert Bennett, Student Government Association Vice President Trenton Wills, graduate student Manoja Reddy, \u00a0and the university\u2019s Title III Director, Dr. Margaret Martin-Hall.\u00a0The event can be viewed at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.YouTube.com\/UAPBTelevision\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"www.YouTube.com\/UAPBTelevision\">www.YouTube.com\/UAPBTelevision<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During his remarks, Chancellor Alexander led the audience in applauding the students attending the state\u2019s largest Historically Black College &amp; University (HBCU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u201cIn 2017, [UAPB students passed] a referendum to charge themselves a fee, which was later approved by the Board of Trustees. I would like to recognize them for the significant role that they played in making this vision a reality,\u201d said Alexander<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cToday, we honor the promises made to students over the past decade \u2013 to provide a brand-new facility that will advance a sense of belonging and strengthen the institution by embracing the unique diversity of our UAPB community,\u201d Bennett, vice chancellor of student affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Upon completion, the UAPB Student Engagement Center will house the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Student Success Center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Career Services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International Programs&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Graduate and professional school preparation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Student Health Services and Counseling Center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open use multipurpose and conference rooms&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two food vendor areas with seating<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wellness Center with an indoor walking\/running track<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4-lane bowling alley<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recreation area with pool tables, ping pong and gaming tables<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1,200-seat theater&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open seating for studying and gathering&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Designed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amr-architects.com\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AMR Architects of Little Rock<\/a>, the new UAPB student center will include a performing arts center, food concepts, wellness center, student health services, and an ample multi-purpose space. The new construction project will also renovate the existing LA Davis Student Union building, which will contain a new bookstore, print shop, mail room, and limited student gathering spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"461\" data-id=\"1245\" src=\"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_1-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_1-583x420.jpg 583w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Artist renderings of UAPB STUDENT ENGAGEMENT CENTER<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"1244\" src=\"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_2.jpg 640w, https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_2-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"401\" data-id=\"1243\" src=\"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_3.jpg 640w, https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ABV_3-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides AMR, the project team also includes Theatre Consultants Collaborative, Crafton Tull, Engineering Consultants Inc., and Pettit &amp; Pettit Consulting Engineers Inc. Little Rock-based CDI Contractors, the construction subsidiary of Arkansas\u2019 publicly traded upscale retailer Dillard\u2019s Inc., is the construction manager for the project that is expected to be completed in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consistent with UAPB\u2019s land-grant mission, the student-friendly center will also provide outreach service to the Arkansas Delta Region by sponsoring community health fairs and other events to inform the community on public health issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis center addresses a critical need for the university and the surrounding community by consolidating community health information with comprehensive health and wellness services for students,\u201d said Alexander.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wills, a UAPB junior, said the center will enhance the university&#8217;s students&#8217; abilities, talents, and success. \u201cIt indicates the turning point of the university as we strive to strengthen \u201cThe Pride,\u201d faculty, staff, and students, and we thank you so much for your great efforts,\u201d said Wills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While presiding over the ceremony, Dr. Martin called the culmination of the center\u2019s groundbreaking \u201cProgress in the Pride Day,\u201d noting that this flagship project is one of many visible construction and rehabilitation projects happening around campus. Other projects include major\u00a0upgrades\u00a0to the interior of\u00a0the\u00a0L.A. Davis\u00a0Student\u00a0Union, renovation\u00a0of\u00a0Larson\u00a0Hall for faculty research and extension work throughout Arkansas; and construction of a new residence\u00a0hall \u2013 the first since\u00a02017 in order to address\u00a0the\u00a0increasing\u00a0demand\u00a0for on-campus\u00a0housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u00a0are\u00a0undergoing\u00a0a\u00a0renaissance\u00a0in\u00a0many\u00a0ways, and this renaissance is taking place in the education that our students\u00a0are\u00a0getting and, in the buildings\u00a0and\u00a0facilities,\u201d said Alexander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe hope students will view the new Student Engagement Center as a symbol of perseverance,\u201d added Bennett. \u201cNothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Persistence and determination alone are unstoppable. Students should remain unstoppable in their efforts to create a better UAPB for future Golden Lions.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Established in 1890 as a state land-grant HBCU, UAPB is now part of the University of Arkansas System. The Pine Bluff higher education institution offers certificate and associate degree programs and more than 40 undergraduate and master&#8217;s degree programs and a doctoral program in Aquaculture\/Fisheries. UAPB students are active in more than 100 organizations, including an internationally renowned Vesper Choir, the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South Band, the Wind Symphony, concert bands, and an accomplished athletics program.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">#30#<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By The Daily Informer Staff \u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u2013 The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1246,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,18,48,40,36],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1242"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1242"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1242\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1249,"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1242\/revisions\/1249"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}