University of La Verne’s Abraham Campus Center Makes Its Mark

The Campus Center's expression is less about hewing to architectural style than about embodying concepts of social interaction, institutional transparency/translucency and sustainability. This expresion is focused in the building's north wall.

Responding to a challenge first posed by Board of Trustees member Michael Abraham almost a decade ago, the University of La Verne yesterday officially opened a three-story, 42,000-square-foot campus center that will serve as the new hub, heart and home of campus life.

“The creation of the Michael and Sara Abraham Campus Center behind me has been an interesting process,” University President Stephen C. Morgan told a large community-wide audience gathered in front of the new $14 million building on Thursday, Sept. 10. “It started when Michael Abraham came on our campus and said, ‘Where is your campus center?’ And I said, ‘We really don’t have a campus center; we have a little corner over in the tents that we use as our campus center.’ And Mike said, ‘How can you have a university without a campus center?’ And I said, ‘Well, we do, and we have a successful university.’ And he said, ‘But it would be even more successful, if you have a campus center.’”

Toward completion of the Campus Center, Abraham and his wife Sara pledged $6.5 million. An intense five-year, three-part capital fundraising project followed, aided by a $600,000 challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation. On Thursday, horn blowers, Polynesian dancers, singers, streams of confetti and a bright, bigger-than-life red bow wrapped around the front of the glass and copper-clad structure showed the campaign was successful.

“The Abraham Campus Center is a marvelous addition to the University of La Verne campus,” Morgan said. “It will have an impact on our students in so many ways, both immediately and for generations to come. This new ‘family room’ will serve as the heart of campus life, helping to create a lifelong bond between our students, faculty and staff.”

Morgan compared the University’s newest showcase with other precedent-setting buildings on the campus, including Miller Hall (1918) Founders’ Hall (1928) and the Super Tents (1973). “I can imagine the excitement and the people who gathered to celebrate the openings of those new buildings,” Morgan said.

While clearly proud of those landmarks, Morgan was justifiably ebullient over the University’s newest facility. “We’re calling today a Grand Opening Celebration because that’s what it is – a celebration,” Morgan said. “So many people have put so much into turning this dream into a reality for our students.”

High on that list is Pasadena-based. Gonzalez Goodale Architects (GGA), which not only aimed to design a campus center that respected the palette of warm materials of the surrounding buildings but also aspired to incorporate the building’s central location and sweeping views of the San Gabriel Mountains.

“We were fortunate in having a site at the literal hub of the campus, with potential views towards the city and the San Gabriel Mountains, said architect David L. Goodale, AIA, design partner for GGA. “We developed a design that capitalizes on the strength of the place.”

This new place houses the Ludwick Conference Center on the top floor, which also features an open-air veranda and rooftop garden designed by Weston Solutions, Inc. The building additionally includes Barbara’s Place, a cafe named for Barbara Harris, wife of past board of trustees chair Benjamin Harris.

Constructed by K.A.R. Construction of Ontario, Calif., the building is also the new home of the university’s Learning Enhancement Center, the Career Services Center and the Student Affairs Office suite, providing space for student government, clubs and organizations.

According to GGA, the Campus Center will facilitate socialization, acting as a “mixing chamber” for students of all ages, cultures, and disciplines, and stimulating discourse and relationships at a level that enriches the university experience beyond the lessons of the classroom or the friendships formed in the residences.

The Center is also the first building in La Verne to earn LEED Silver rating by the United Sates Building Council. The certification is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. Some initiatives that were implemented are day-lighting, regionally sourced concrete flooring, stone and glass and materials rich in recycled content, such as carpet tiles, casework, counters and furnishings.

“The University of La Verne has evolved into an enormously rich tapestry of cultures and age groups over the years,” said Armando L. Gonzalez, FAIA, project principal for Gonzalez Goodale Architects. “We are pleased to contribute a Campus Center that will bring students together and serve as an iconic center for the recruitment and retention of new students for generations to come.”

Founded in 1891, the University of La Verne serves both traditional-aged and adult learners at its main campus, at regional campus and satellite class locations through California and online. La Verne offers bachelors, masters and doctoral programs in liberal arts and professional studies as well as practical legal training for its ABA-approved College of Law.

University President Steve Morgan addresses the audience.Ribbon cutting makes the opening of the new Campus Center official.After the ribbon cutting, people began entering the Campus Center for a tour of the new multimillion dollar structure.

Ribbon cutting makes the opening of the new Campus Center official.After the ribbon-cutting, guests prepare to tour the multimillion dollar facility.