Gwennie Gilbert, ’29, NCC cabinet officials and Naperville officials take part in the groundbreaking. Photo taken by Sarah Christenson.
As part of Homecoming weekend, NCC students, faculty, staff, alumni and Naperville community members gathered on Saturday, Oct. 10, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the college’s new Student Commons.
Student Commons groundbreaking
The ceremony took place at the southwest corner of Chicago Avenue and Brainard Street, where the 60,000-square-foot facility is planned to be constructed in two phases. The groundbreaking marked forward progress for the new Student Commons.
Construction will begin with the new dining center, before eventually expanding to include a student activity center. Ultimately, the new facility will expand campus dining services and create additional spaces for students to gather.
Jim Godo ’93, vice president for communication and external affairs delivers his speech to the audience. Photo taken by Sarah Christenson.
The ceremony opened with a performance by the Cardinal Marching Band, accompanied by flag performers who entered alongside the musicians.
The Cardinal Marching Band performs for the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo taken by Sarah Christenson.
Following the performance, five speakers addressed those in attendance, including North Central College President Abiódún Gòkè-Paríolá, and student Governing Association President Gwennie Gilbert, ’29.
President G-P discussed the project in an interview with Naperville Community Television or NCTV17 following the ceremony, describing the first construction phase as building “a critical new facility for our students.”
The initial phase will focus on replacing the college’s aging dining facilities with a larger, updated space designed to better accommodate the student population.
Benefits for students
The new dining center will cover 30,000 square feet and seat up to 500 students at a time. By comparison, the existing Kaufman Dining Hall seats approximately 300 people at once. The college is expanding the space to accommodate its growth.
Rendering of the new 60,000-square-foot student commons, to be constructed in two phases. Image courtesy of NCC.
According to the college, there will be expanded dining spaces, including a quick-service grill and additional seating for students to eat and socialize.
Gilbert also shared her expectations for the project in NCTV17’s coverage, expressing excitement about the space and its potential impact on student life.
“I think I can speak for myself and many students when I say that we’re excited and very curious about all the work going on with the new student dining hall and student commons,” Gilbert said. “It seems like a great opportunity for students to make new connections, make new memories, and we’re excited to see what the changes bring.”
Following the speeches, G-P and other participants put on hard hats and took shovels to ceremonially turn the dirt at the construction site for the groundbreaking. Students then joined the college president for a group photograph. The event concluded with sandwiches, lemonade and construction-themed cookies available to attendees.
Chief Campus Events Officer Mary Reynolds begins handing hard hats to NCC officials. Photo taken by Sarah Christenson.
Long-term construction plans
While the new dining center will make up the first phase of the project, there is a larger vision for the Student Commons. The planned second phase will add another 30,000 square feet for a student activity center connected to the dining facility.
Plans for the second phase include conference rooms, a new campus store, a variety of seating arrangements, a kitchenette and a multipurpose room designed to accommodate up to 350 people for campus and community events.
The additional space will provide students with more opportunities to study and meet with others. It also, provides new avenues to participate in campus organizations and gather outside the classroom. And, construction on the student activity center is expected to begin after the dining center is completed.
The college is currently in the process of raising the $16 million needed to fund the second phase. The first-phase dining center is projected to be completed in November 2027.
