Renovated in 2013, Fisher Student Center became a hub of campus life.
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n 2013, a renovated Bryant Center was dedicated as the Michael E. ’67 and Karen L. Fisher Student Center. A generous gift from the Fishers made the project possible. The old Bryant Center had been the university’s student union, and it had a distinctive 1970s vibe. The newly reimagined facility changed from a place merely to eat, meet, check snail mail, and buy books, to a visually stunning facility that became a hub of student life, and a welcoming destination for visitors and returning alumni. Renovation of the three-story building was a $10 million construction project, completed on time and under budget. The inside of the lower floors was completely gutted and reconfigured. Lisa Laliberte was the Senior Project Manager, working in collaboration with Bryant leaders and the architectural and design firm, Ewing Cole. The first floor has an inviting fireplace, a mix of lounge and café seating, guest computers, and a variety of meeting and programming spaces. Skylights and windows bring in plenty of natural light. Food concessions and a new student dining room provide a comfortable dining experience. The second floor became home for the Campus Engagement Office, Intercultural Center, Commuter Connection, Women’s Center, Bryant Pride, and campus ministry offices. There’s an array of seating areas. And on the third floor, there are meeting and work spaces for Bryant’s many clubs and organizations. The Fisher Student Center is opposite the Unistructure, on the other side of the pond. Planners saw it as the perfect spot between the residence halls and the Unistructure. In fact, the building took its shape from the site somewhat, so the axis of pedestrian travel could be maintained.
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