Photo courtesy of Marshall Moya Design
Top city officials, educators, proud alumni, and current students gathered last night inside the University of the District of Columbia’s brand new 96,000 square foot student center. The building’s ribbon cutting brought a wealth of emotions, as “it’s been a long time coming” was a constant refrain of nearly a dozen speeches throughout the program.
The sentimental architect, Michael Marshall, shared his experience walking on The University’s campus several decades ago as a student. “I was the first person in my family to go to college—so everything was new to me,” said a teary-eyed Marshall, adding that the university was called Washington Tech at the time and only had three buildings. After graduating with an associate’s degree, Marshall went on to attend Catholic University and Yale University.
The student center is the centerpiece of a ten-year, campus-wide renovation. And it’s the first new building to open in 40 years. Marshall’s architectural firm, Marshall Moya Design, along with global design firm CannonDesgin, submitted an RFP to design the building in 2010.
Located at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Van Ness Street NW, the center serves as the gateway to the District’s only public university.
During her remarks, Mayor Muriel Bowser talked about UDC’s personal significance. Its professors once educated a wife and mother of five children who was working a full-time, low-paying job. One of that woman’s children went on to become the leader of her city, Bowser said, in reference to her mother. Joan Bowser is now retired from her career in health as a chief nurse at the former St. Elizabeth Hospital in Southeast.
Over the past several years, city administrators have taken on a robust task “to transform public education in the District,” Bowser said. “UDC is a critical part of that.”
District residents who work hard should have opportunities, Bowser said, and nothing is possible “without a commitment to quality education—that’s where it starts and where it ends.”
Photo courtesy of Marshall Moya Design
After the ribbon cutting, guests toured the building, which houses areas for campus life, student government, career services, and other functions that support UDC’s population of 5,000 students. Accessible to the public, the center also includes mixed-use retail, a conference center, a ballroom, and a 10,000 square foot fitness and wellness center.
Sustainable design features are woven throughout center, including a 14,000 square foot green roof, photovoltaic panels, a rain garden, and more. The building is set to be the first LEED Platinum university building in District, the first LEED Platinum student center on the east coast, and only one of two in the country.
