The newly renovated Hunton Student Center had its grand opening yesterday, with an estimated 175 people gathered to celebrate.
VCU President Eugene P. Trani said the center’s renovation is a positive development for VCU students.
“I’m very pleased that we now have two wonderful student centers – one on each campus – for our students to enjoy,” Trani said.
Located on the Medical College of Virginia campus, the center includes a dining facility, additional study space and a learning center.
“We’re pretty excited about this new place,” said Kami Hu, a first-year medical student. “It’s a nice change of pace. You can’t study in one place all the time.”
Timothy Reed, director of student commons and activities, said the university tried to make these changes while maintaining the building’s original ambience.
“Around the country, graduate libraries have these really nice study rooms. So, that’s a feel that we really wanted,” Reed said. “Whereas the commons is a crazy place and so the furniture there is very practical, very bright. And that’s the difference between the two. One is a very vibrant, exciting campus. This is a little more low-key. So we wanted a more professional, more classy feel.”
According to Trani, the building was initially the First Baptist Church of Richmond. The 166-year-old building was sold to VCU in 1938.
“I’m very pleased that we now have two wonderful student centers – one on each campus — for our students to enjoy.”
– VCU President Eugene P. Trani
Reed said the center, formerly called Hunton Hall, was in a poor state before the renovation with an inadequate heating and air-conditioning system and leaky walls.
Michelle Pohoreskey, president of the VCU-MCV Student Government Association, said she is pleased with the new center.
“This renovation will also provide us with a commons area which we can converge from our various schools and departments for us to better intermingle our disciplines throughout the year,” Pohoreskey said.