By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
Aiming to provide potential and incoming students a safe space to land as they begin their journey in higher education, Utah State University unveiled its revamped welcome center on Thursday, Nov. 20.
To honor the occasion, dignitaries, university leaders and students gathered in the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The center features several office spaces, as well as a large conference room for prospective students to learn more about the university.
The revamped space also features a miniature, self-serve c-store, allowing students and community members to purchase food, drinks and USU Eastern swag.
Kicking off the festivities was Ally Robertson, captain of the USU ambassador team, who spoke on the importance of the new addition. Robertson, who has been a student at the university since 2022, discussed her connection to the campus,” Not only do I have a deep love for this university, but I also have a special connection to this campus. My great uncle Frank Bonacci wrote the legislation to open Carbon College, now USU Eastern, for students to gain an education that he was never able to receive.”
Citing this story, Robertson expressed that it is why spaces like the new welcome center matter, calling the addition more than just a room, but “a place where people can come feel loved, wanted and seen.”
Closing her remarks, Robertson stated,” We are opening doors to new Opportunities, building dreams and making new connections. This is the first place where students come learn about what it truly means to be an Aggie at USU Eastern.”
Next to the podium was Kristian Olsen, vice president for statewide residential campuses, who provided a history of the space, “When this building was first built, this was the welcome center. And then it became a bookstore, and then it kind of became nothing for a little while, and now it’s back to being the welcome center. And what a beautiful space it is.”
He continued,” The future of the campus is big, and it’s bright, and it’s exciting right now. And we just can’t wait to see what’s going to happen over the next couple of years.”
Rounding out the panel of speakers was Ken White, senior vice president of statewide enterprises, who shared remarks on the university’s role in the community,” We feel that obligation to be an active contributor to this community and to help and be a partner in growing the community … This is an awesome space, and I look forward to using it a bunch of times every time I come down here.”
Following the trio of speakers, the ribbon was cut, officially opening the new center to all.