U Magazine, Spring 1987

dents , faculty and staff. Student dining , meeting and activity spaces formerly scattered across Alcala Park now are centralized in one spot. "And the Center is notjust for students,.. points out chief architect Roy Drew of Mosher/Drew/Watson/Ferguson . "It is for students, faculty and staff to mingle, to get to know one another. I h ave great hope that the people who use the building will find it does something for them." The two-level building takes full advantage of the San Diego climate and is flooded with light. Its natural tex– tures , plants and interior colors communicate warmth and invite visitors to relax and linger. Therese Whitcomb , USO director of design , selected the furnishings and completed the interior design. She sought to maintain the 16th century Spanish Renaissance flavor found throughout campus - and at the same time - project a "living room" feel to the building that student life administrators wanted to convey. "From the moment a student walks into the building he knows it's a totally unique place on campus ," notes John Trifiletti '78, director ofspecial events and a keen observer ofstudent life on campus. "It's a place for leisure and fun, a place for extracurricular activities. Yet all of that plays an important part in a student's life. "We've said for years that much of what a student learns at college takes place outside the classroom environment. With the Center we have all of the elements necessary for student development and personal growth located in one building. "

More than 500 attend March 6 dedication

Dr. Hughes addresses the gathering.

I n termittent rain showers and threatening skies couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of more than 500 USO friends who turned out for the March 6 dedication ceremonies of the University Center. "It's not hard for any of us to imagine what this building means to us ." President Author E. Hughes told those assembled. "It's been called the 'living room' of the campus. It's a vital link." The Center also is a demonstration of how much the University cares about its students, Dr. Hughes added. "You (the students) help keep us in touch with all that's right about us and bright about the future . We hope this building says that to you." The two-level, 74.500-square-foot Center is the largest building on campus. It is the seventh major construction project completed at USO during the past eight years. Dr. Philip Hwang. professor ofeducation and the dedication's keynote speaker. said the Center demonstrates USD's commitment to the develop– ment of the individual student. "As the Center's statement of philosophy put it. .. he said. "this center is a people-centered place. a locus for coming together, a forum for the discussing, sharing and experiencing ofvaiues. " James Colachis, who heads the Board of Trus– tees· building and grounds committee, presented the ceremonial key to the building to Bishop Leo Maher, board chairman. The bishop then blessed the Center, which he described as a place of"great opportunities" for students. Following the dedication ceremonies , guests toured the facility. During the reception which fol– lowed the tours - as though on cue - the dark clouds parted and a rainbow arched across Tecolote Canyon. •

The music listening lounge.

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