New Beginnings: The Reimagined Student Experience The $25+ million expansion of the Shirley L. and Mildred Garrison United Methodist Student Center will enhance campus life as McMurry celebrates its Centennial. What an amazing gift to the campus and Abilene communities! As a physical representation of McMurry University’s identity and
direction, the expanded and modernized student center is important
not only for how it will serve the University but also for the values that
it will represent to our community. Meeting a long list of specific needs
and objectives, the center will embody our character and aspirations as we enter our second century. It will strengthen connections within our
already tight-knit campus, and it will continue to project McMurry pride to campus visitors and the Abilene community.
While occupying the same footprint as the current center, the expansion adds a second floor and increases the square footage from 39,000 to
58,000. The center will feature welcoming common spaces that provide students with a place where they can come together and foster the personal interactions that are a vital part of McMurry’s culture. This
intermingling of perspectives among the increasingly diverse student
body will serve to promote and celebrate meaningful interactions. You can look forward to the following features.
New Student Gathering Areas: The top design priority for the new
Chapel: Central to McMurry’s identity
alone, cocurricular activities, or simply hanging out with friends.
the chapel will be enlarged and
center is expanded and enhanced spaces for studying in groups or
as a United Methodist university,
enhanced to more fully meet the spiritual needs of our students, faculty, and staff.
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NEW GARRISON STUDENT CENTER
