Armstrong Student Center Opens this January

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November 2013
Written by Vince Frieden, Associate Director, University Advancement Communications

A student dream more than a decade in the making comes to life Jan. 27, 2014, when Miami University students return for the spring semester and take over their Armstrong Student Center.

As construction and landscaping work nears its conclusion, plans are underway for a two-week grand opening designed to introduce the campus and community to all the Center has to offer. It will be two weeks of themes, open houses, mixers, guest lectures, music, cooking demonstrations and more.

The Armstrong Student Center will be officially dedicated at 2 p.m., Feb. 7, 2014, with a special event welcoming the Miami community and the more than 10,000 alumni and friends who supported the effort.

Some of the highlights from the two-week opening include:

  • Monday, January 27 – Open for business!

  • Tuesday, January 28 – Student Involvement Day: Featuring open houses for the Center for Engagement and Student Leadership (SEAL) and Cliff Alexander office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, as well as Winter Mega Fair.

  • Wednesday, January 29 – RedHawk Spirit Day: A day of exciting events celebrating Miami Athletics and promoting the “I Am Miami” initiative.

  • Thursday, January 30 – Miami in the Arts Day: Miami musical groups will be performing in between class breaks throughout the day, and the evening rounds out with the Snow Ball—a free, semi-formal event open to all students. Tickets are available in the H.O.M.E. office in the Shriver Center.

  • Friday, January 31 – Community Day: Highlights include community tours, an Oxford Chamber of Commerce after-hours event and a community showing of “Monsters University” in Harry T. Wilks Theatre.

  • Saturday, February 1 – ’50s Night: One of the mainstays of the Armstrong Student Center will be the 1950s-themed Bob and Doris Pulley ’52 Diner, and this night will celebrate the era.

  • Sunday, February 2 –Mind, Body and Soul: Relax and enjoy meditation workshops and Pet Therapy.

  • Monday, February 3 – Cultural Connections: Celebrate cultural diversity and kick off Black History Month with various student cultural performances, a lecture entitled “Diversity: Old Miami, New Miami” and a cultural cooking demonstration.

  • Tuesday, February 4 – Miami Gives Back Day: A day of public service including a Greek community service event and a lecture by Miami alumnus General Joseph Ralston ’65, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  • Wednesday, February 5 – Academic Success and Wellness Day: Features an undergraduate research exhibit, faculty coffee hour, wellness fair, fitness expo and a trivia competition.

  • Thursday, February 6 – Celebrating Miami’s Heritage: Learn about the Armstrong Student Center’s unique Wiikiaami Room via a special presentation from Miami’s Myaamia Center. During an evening lecture, Bob Keller, university architect emeritus will share the story of how the Armstrong Student Center came to be.

  • Friday, February 7 –Dedication Event: The grand finale! A campus and community-wide celebration and building dedication takes place from 2-4 p.m.

Check back in the coming weeks for the full event schedule.


1. The Shade Family Room is already open for prospective student tours; 2. Bob and Doris ’52 Pulley Diner will be open 24/7, serving 1950s-style dining fare; 3. The three-story Bicentennial Rotunda is at the heart of the Armstrong Student Center; 4. The Commons will feature five dining concepts and will be the place to be seen within the Center; 5. Harry T. Wilks Theatre will seat approximately 500 and fill the need for a mid-size performance venue on Miami’s campus.