<< Back
January 2013
Written by Vince Frieden, Associate Director, University Advancement Communications
On Oct. 23, the final steel beam was raised into place over what will be the Armstrong Student Center’s Pavilion large- event space, marking a significant milestone in a vision that began more than a decade ago.
Mike Armstrong ’61—who along with his wife, Anne, contributed the Center’s $15 million naming gift—spoke of the moment’s symbolism.
“What do we think of when we think about a steel beam? We think of strength, sustainability, support,” Armstrong said. “Today is symbolic of the strength embedded in a place where we will come together to learn, to team up, to grow up and to just plain have fun. It is symbolic because this place will sustain the values and culture of this university. And it is so symbolic of the support of all those who contributed to make this happen.”
According to Senior Project Manager John Seibert, the project remains on schedule, with the Shade Family Room portion slated to debut in October 2013 and the Armstrong Student Center to officially open in January 2014. That progress is most notable in the new central structure that has taken shape between the former Gaskill and Rowan Halls.
“At the new central structure, we added a floor a month over the summer, and we’re now working to get the entire structure enclosed so we can continue installing mechanical systems and putting up interior walls through the winter,” Seibert said. “By next fall major construction will be completed, and we’ll be focused on installing audio-visual and technology systems, furniture, environmental graphics and landscaping as well as training the staff.”
The progress is visibly impressive. The seating bowl and stage of the 500-seat Harry T. Wilks Theatre are in place. The sweeping Slant Walk stairs, which will carry students from the second-floor Hub-side entrance to the first-floor Spring Street entrance, have been poured. And the Bicentennial Rotunda, the striking focal point of the second and third levels, is taking shape.
“The adaptive re-use of the Gaskill and Rowan structures has posed challenges, but it has also presented opportunities,” Seibert said. “It’s allowed for some nice layering and elevation changes with great cascading view lines. We’ve also been able to incorporate a lot of natural lighting and really open the place up.”
According to Seibert, whose past work at Miami includes Goggin Ice Center and the Farmer School of Business building, each Miami building project is one of a kind, but the Armstrong Student Center is special because of the broad support to which Armstrong spoke.
“This project has brought so many people to the table,” Seibert said. “From the students, to President and Mrs. Hodge, to alumni and the Oxford community, it has literally been a committee of thousands who are invested in making this possible for our students. The completed Armstrong Student Center will reflect that spirit and energy.”
This story was featured in Giving Tribute Fall 2012.