OXFORD Ga. - Emory University’s Oxford College has officially unveiled its first student center designed especially for students to congregate outside of the classroom.

A three-year, $3 million fundraising campaign transformed the college’s former dining hall into a 32,000 square foot student center, the college’s first. The Oxford College Student Center (OSC) is located adjacent to the new dining hall, built in 2017, at the corner of Pierce St. and Wesley St.

The project involved blending the former dining hall with a 14,000 square foot addition that houses a grand hall entrance with steps leading to the Office of Campus Life, which occupies the second floor of the building.

Oxford College students were involved in the planning and design of the facility, which was completed at the beginning of Spring semester in mid-January. The center offers a large space, named the “Club Hub”, where organizations can meet in a conference room, create marketing materials and hold events. The facility also includes a new bookstore, restaurant, game room, relaxation room, and an outdoor patio with seating.

Emory University graduate Nancy Benton drove from Monticello to attend the student center’s grand opening Sunday, Feb. 2. Her husband, L.O. Benton, graduated from Oxford College in 1960 and got to see the decades-long vision to build a student center become reality before passing away last year,

“It is a well-thought out building, and a lot of homework went into this project,” Benton said. “I knew it was going to be incredible and it truly is. This makes the campus come alive even more.”

After welcoming the hundreds of students, faculty, alumni, supporters and community members Sunday afternoon, Oxford College Dean Doug Hicks joined Student Government President Rachel Dean and Vice President Nick Paschetto in a toast celebrating the student center’s grand opening.

“Students are going to make the future in this building,” Dean Hicks said.