Towson University Officially Opens Union Expansion

Press release from Towson University: Kyle Hobstetter | Friday, April 8

Ribbon-cutting event a chance to showcase updated central campus hub

On Thursday, April 7, Towson University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce
the grand opening of the “Brand New U,” an 85,000-square-foot addition to the University Union.

Initially built 50 years ago, the union was designed for a university population of
9,000. Now, it embodies TU’s continued growth and expansion.

As President Kim Schatzel stood at the podium welcoming students, faculty, staff and
special guests to the event, she marveled at the latest addition to campus.

“Towson University now has a university union that fits the Towson University of 2022,”
she said to applause. “Places really matter on a university campus, and one of the
most important places is a university union. Especially [for] a campus like ours that
puts the student experience as a top priority.”

The newly renovated University Union was on full display at the grand opening. Special
guests from the Board of Visitors, Board of Regents and the TU Foundation were given a tour that showcased the new additions, including:

“The expanded University Union will now serve as the hub for community building, co-curricular
learning, student leadership growth, engagement and programming, dining excellence
and, equally important, a lot of fun and excitement for our campus community,” said
Vernon Hurte, vice president of student affairs.

Those attending the grand opening were treated to an ice cream social as well as giveaways
of prizes and free food from the Union Food Market.

Student organizations also displayed the leadership opportunities offered on campus.

“Student leadership plays a key role in shaping our community and culture, and this
union expansion is a visual representation of the university’s acknowledgment of that,”
said Jordan Colquitt, who represented the Student Government Association (SGA) at
the event.

“Student programming has taken new forms and will continue to rise to new heights
as the result of this commitment,” Colquitt continued. “As a student, I’m proud to
attend a university that prides itself on committing to a better campus life [for
its] students.”

TU will now move on to phase two, which is the renovation of the existing portions
of the union and is expected to be completed later this year. This will include a
new home for campus life, civic engagement & social responsibility, the SGA, Student Success Programs and the Center for Student Diversity as well as the renovation to the PAWS cafe.

“Unions are the heart and should be the soul of a campus, and they connect the entire
university community,” Schatzel said. “Unions are the places that bring students together,
where they can be seen, where they can be themselves and where they can feel welcomed.”

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.