University to Unveil McGauvran Center’s Total Renovation, New Mission

McGauvran Center
UMass Lowell will open the McGauvran Center during an event for the campus and community on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

12/03/2015

Contacts: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

* M E D I A A D V I S O R Y *
Tuesday, Dec. 8
2:30 p.m.

WHAT: UMass Lowell will officially unveil the new and improved McGauvran Center, the 12th new building opened by the university in just six years.

Originally constructed in the 1970s, McGauvran served as the university’s primary student center for nearly 40 years. After UMass Lowell opened the new University Crossing student center in 2014, which brought all student services and most student-run organizations under one roof, it was time to revisit McGauvran’s purpose and to modernize its design.

On Dec. 8, UMass Lowell will debut an overhauled McGauvran that reflects a completely new look and mission for the building, which has been expanded to 52,000 square feet and features new study areas, a welcome center for campus tours, meeting rooms, classroom space and multiple dining locations. Two floors of the three-story building will offer new dining options: a retail approach that features well-known quick-serve brands such as Subway and Freshii, along with a bakery, grill and market; and an “all you wish to eat” dining concept that updates the traditional meal plan for students and replaces the nearby South Dining Commons. McGauvran will open for the UMass Lowell community and public at the start of the spring semester.

The new McGauvran is the latest step in UMass Lowell’s campus transformation, which includes the opening of 11 other buildings since 2009, including residence halls, academic and research facilities, parking garages, an alumni center, the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell and the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center.

The McGauvran Center will be debuted at an event for students, faculty, staff and the community that is expected to include representatives of the UMass Building Authority, the Lowell legislative delegation and city officials. Speakers are scheduled to include UMass President Marty Meehan; UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney; Laurence Siegel, UMass Lowell’s associate vice chancellor for student affairs and university events; and Matilda Matovu, a biology and political science major from Tewksbury.

WHERE: McGauvran Center, South Campus, 71 Wilder St., Lowell. Contact UMass Lowell media relations for directions and parking information.