The University Academic Center, which opened in the fall of 2008, houses the Departments of Art, Communication and Languages; the Honors College; and offices for the deans of the College of Arts & Humanities and the Honors College. The building includes space for an art gallery for display of student, faculty, and community work; a large lecture hall; two art studios for painting and drawing; three art studios for sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics; a large lecture hall; a student lounge; a computer lab; and additional office and classroom space. It is a single story building with an elevated section (similar to that in McNair Hall) providing natural light to the expansive exhibition space and art studios.

A walled outdoor courtyard provides space for ceramics classes and a separate glazing area. The facility gives students and faculty access to both electric and gas-fired kilns.

The new facility is designed to support an apprentice-style teaching environment for members of the art faculty and their students. Each faculty artist has an office as well as an adjoining personal studio in which he or she can meet with students, create art, demonstrate techniques, and share ideas. Senior students will be assigned personal studios as well.

The admissions, financial services, and registrar's office are also located in the University Academic Center. 

Click to see more images of the groundbreaking ceremony.



Click to see more construction images