69传媒

Donors and AU leadership gathered in Reeves Field with shovels for the ceremonial groundbreaking Donors and AU leadership gathered in Reeves Field with shovels for the ceremonial groundbreaking

AU Breaks Ground on a New Chapter in Athletics and Student Thriving

A new chapter in student thriving at 69传媒 University is officially underway.聽聽

At Reeves Field on March 1, 2024, AU on construction for the Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance. The Meltzer Center, made possible through a transformational $15 million Change Can鈥檛 Wait gift from Board of Trustees member Alan L. Meltzer, CAS/BA 鈥21, and his wife, Amy Meltzer, is a signature piece of the Student Thriving Complex (厂罢颁).听听听

In addition to the Meltzers鈥 gift, initial key support for the Meltzer Center came from Board of Trustees member Jack Cassell, SOC/BA 鈥77, and Denise Cassell, and the Bender Foundation, Inc. Collectively, the STC鈥攚hich 69传媒 renovations to the Mary Graydon Center (MGC)鈥攈as received ongoing philanthropic support from the AU community.聽聽

Central to the groundbreaking event was a celebration of impact and recognition for all that has brought the Meltzer Center and the STC to this point. Student speakers from AU Student Government, the Graduate Leadership Council, and AU Wrestling emphasized the project鈥檚 focus on holistic well-being for the entire student body.聽聽

Speaking at the ceremony, President Sylvia M. Burwell thanked donors鈥攁 number of whom were present in the audience鈥攁nd underscored the lasting mark of their support at AU.聽

鈥淭he transformation that will happen over here, where we will be shoveling shortly,鈥 said Burwell, 鈥渁nd to the students who will walk through the doors of the Meltzer Center to train and compete as Eagles, and then step over to the newly renovated Mary Graydon Center, and the Sports Center Annex to access their academic support services, physical and mental health resources, and wellness programs all in one place鈥攁ll that transformation will happen because of you.鈥澛

This project represents AU鈥檚 values and furthers our commitment to offering our students enhanced facilities that provide resources and spaces to develop and sharpen lifelong skills, further a sense of belonging on our campus, foster physical and mental well-being, and build capacity to thrive in an ever-increasingly complex world.

Before breaking ground with AU leadership, student-athletes, project partners, and the lead donors who made the project possible, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, and Treasurer Bront茅 Burleigh-Jones described the momentous scope of the STC.聽

鈥淲e are so excited to be here for this groundbreaking, because it is more than just a building,鈥 Burleigh-Jones said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a significant part of our Student Thriving Complex鈥攖he largest student-focused construction project in the university鈥檚 history.鈥澛犅

She continued, 鈥淭his project represents AU鈥檚 values and furthers our commitment to offering our students enhanced facilities that provide resources and spaces to develop and sharpen lifelong skills, further a sense of belonging on our campus, foster physical and mental well-being, and build capacity to thrive in an ever-increasingly complex world.鈥澛犅

A Dynamic Campus Complex聽聽

Set for completion in 2026, the Meltzer Center will be the first newly constructed athletics and recreational facility on campus in more than 30 years. Its 57,000 square-foot design features state-of-the-art competition, practice, and training facilities鈥攊ncluding a competition gymnasium for the wrestling and volleyball programs鈥攁nd new strength and conditioning, sports medicine, and locker room areas.鈥疘t will expand recreation, fitness, and community-building opportunities for the entire AU community.鈥

Conceptual rendering on Meltzer Center

Notably, the Meltzer Center will also achieve two significant sustainability milestones by being AU鈥檚 first Net Zero and LEED Platinum building, reflecting AU鈥檚 continued leadership as the nation鈥檚 first carbon-neutral research university.聽聽聽聽

The Meltzer Center will be a for AU鈥檚 Athletics and Recreation Department and support varsity sports, club sports, and overall recreation at AU.聽聽

With cutting-edge training and competition facilities, the new center will help AU recruit and retain student-athletes鈥痑nd鈥痠nspire increased competitive excellence鈥痑cross teams. Its size, scale, and location in the heart of campus expands access and builds recreational capacity. Amidst a for the AU Eagles, the Meltzer Center will further enhance AU鈥檚 national profile and heighten Eagle pride among students and alumni. 鈥

Already, STC construction and renovations are changing the way students thrive on campus.聽聽

As of the January 2024 community update, the new location of the Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) on third floor of Butler Pavilion has streamlined services that previously were scattered throughout campus into one location. Renovation work has also commenced on the third floor of MGC in spaces that will be both flexible and student-focused, including the new Student Engagement Commons.鈥

Legacies of Changemaking聽

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, STC supporters and their families gathered for a reception.聽聽

Athletics and Recreation Director Billy Walker thanked the Meltzers, Cassells, and Benders. He shared what the Meltzer Center means to AU Athletics, highlighting its significance for recruitment, competition, and training.聽聽

鈥淲e needed this facility to recruit and retain the best student-athletes and coaches in the world,鈥 said Walker. 鈥淲e are going to improve our competitive excellence. . . . And we鈥檙e going to continue to train great [individuals] of character who are going to go out and do wonderful things in the world.鈥澛犅

For the donors and university leaders present, the day鈥檚 event marked an opportunity to reflect on the personal meaning and poignancy of the project.聽

Alan Meltzer recognized AU鈥檚 growth since he first came to the university on a wrestling scholarship and what giving back to AU has meant to him over the years.聽聽

鈥淟ook at this place now, it鈥檚 unbelievable . . . it鈥檚 an amazing place.鈥 Looking ahead to the completion of the Meltzer Center construction, Meltzer added, 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait for 18 months!鈥澛犅

Jack Cassell shared how meaningful supporting this project has been to him鈥攔eflecting on the legacy of his father, Stafford H. "Pop" Cassell, his tenure as chair of the Board of Trustees, and how his gift allowed him to recognize the late Coach Barry Goldberg in the new facility.聽聽

鈥淎t AU, we try to do the right thing to make the university better. And that鈥檚 what AU is all about to me,鈥 Cassell shared.聽聽

Similarly, Jason Belinke, Nan Bender, and Jake Bender were present in the audience, representing the Bender family鈥檚 longstanding support for AU, including Bender Library and Bender Arena.聽

Also recognized at the reception was Gail Hanson. Former Vice President of Campus Life, Hanson served AU for twenty years and is as one of the lead donors of the Mary Graydon Center renovations.聽聽

鈥淚鈥檓 particularly touched by your gift, Gail, by your understanding of and commitment to holistic student development,鈥 said Raymond Ou,鈥疺ice President of Student Affairs.聽聽

Honoring Visionaries Today鈥攁nd Tomorrow聽

As construction on the Meltzer Center and other STC spaces progresses in the coming months, the AU community is continuing to recognize and cultivate philanthropic support toward student thriving.聽聽聽

These changemakers all said 鈥榊es鈥欌攖o a dream and vision. They saw what this project could do for our athletes, our coaches, our students, our faculty and staff, and for AU.

Vice President of University Advancement Courtney Surls offered a toast to the Meltzer family, Cassell family, Bender family, Gail Hanson, and other lead donors to the STC.聽聽

鈥淚t鈥檚 clear to me that today鈥檚 groundbreaking represents vision in action in its most tangible sense,鈥 said Surls. 鈥淭hese changemakers all said 鈥榊es鈥欌攖o a dream and vision. They saw what this project could do for our athletes, our coaches, our students, our faculty and staff, and for AU.鈥澛犅

With a raised glass, she added: 鈥淔or your courage to be first, your extraordinary generosity, for your unceasing belief in 69传媒 University and all that we stand for鈥攚e toast you.鈥澛犅

Punctuating an era of milestones, the Meltzer Center and STC represent the Eagle spirit of vision-made-action and will allow generations of Eagles to find and define their purpose through excellence, well-being, and connection.聽聽