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By Vince Frieden, Associate Director of Development Communications
From the beginning, the Armstrong Student Center has been billed as “a building by students, for students,” and indeed, with the opening events rapidly approaching, Miami students are deeply involved in every phase of the planning and policy making.
Leading this effort is the Armstrong Student Center Board, which was formed prior to Spring Break. Of the 15 members, approximately one-third were appointed by Associated Student Government—a driving force behind the effort to build a new student center—while the remainder were selected through an application and interview process.
“We had five applicants for every available position, which was a good problem to have,” said Katie Wilson, director of the Armstrong Student Center. “We have a diverse group in terms of interests, involvement and the skills they bring, but they are all super excited about the Armstrong Student Center.”
Nick Miller, a junior from Toledo, Ohio, leads the board and has been involved with the Armstrong Student Center since he arrived on campus. He served on the search committee for the Center’s director, worked on the team that designed the interior of the Shade Family Room and also helped interview and select his fellow board members.
“Every student selected to the board understands the importance of the Armstrong Student Center and the impact it will have on our students,” Miller said. “We all want to leave Miami a better place than we found it, and I believe that’s something we share with almost every Miamian.”
Allison Gnaegy, a sophomore from Bedford, N.H., is the daughter of a Miami Merger and also has a twin brother on campus. She applied for the board because of her love for Miami and to represent the interests of student programming organizations and business organizations on campus.
“As a board, we are finding that each of us represents different facets of campus life that will utilize the Center in different ways,” Gnaegy said. “Though our perspectives and interests vary, we’ve come together with the common goal of making the Armstrong Student Center the best it can be for all students. Our board exists so that students can dictate what they want and need from the Center.”
In addition to working together, the board members also are serving with Miami staff on 12 different teams dealing with everything from the technology that will exist in the building and room reservation policies to office assignments and the opening and dedication event.
While there is much work to be done, Miller says the board is honored to have the responsibility.
“From day one, our students are told about the infinite opportunities Miami and the Miami Experience provide,” Miller said. “Putting this responsibility in the hands of students validates that message and shows the level of trust the Board of Trustees, university administration, faculty and alumni have in our ability to lead.”