By Michael Bernaschina Staff writer
Anyone who has spent time on Susquehanna’s campus during this academic year has likely noticed the large new structure under construction on University Avenue.
The building will be the new home to Susquehanna’s Office of Admissions.
“The idea is that they want what is essentially the front door of Susquehanna to be as impressive as the rest of the buildings,” said Madeleine Rhyneer, vice president of enrollment and marketing at Susquehanna.
The new facility, which began construction late last year, was approved as a way of improving upon the current admissions building, according to Rhyneer.
“Our Board of Trustees, who were the guiding force behind the decision, I think that they took a look at all of our buildings on campus,” she said.
Rhyneer added, “The residence halls are beautiful; we have gorgeous academic buildings. There’s been a lot of renovation done, and then you come in here and it’s relatively unprepossessing.”
The new building is a $7 million project and is being funded by contributions from the Board of Trustees, according to Susquehanna’s website.
Unlike the current admissions building, which was originally a house and later turned into an office, this new facility has been designed specifically for the needs of the Office of Admissions.
“The concept behind the admissions house is that it’s built for guests, so the entire first floor is all about the guest experience,” Rhyneer said.
She added, “There’s a beautiful reception area. The large part of that sticks out, that you can see, that’s a presentation room.”
The new building will also contain other new features, including specially built interview rooms and bathrooms for guests to use.
The presentation room will contain new technology that the department will be using, according to Rhyneer.
“I think it’s really going to be a ‘wow’ building, and so what I want is for people to walk in the door and say, ‘Wow, this is an impressive school.’ The building is impressive, therefore the school is impressive,” Rhyneer said.
She added: “We want people to feel like this is a college that has created a really welcoming environment, but it looks like it’s on-the-move academically. So, I want it to have that ‘wow’ impression for families. I don’t want anyone to feel intimidated or uncomfortable, I want them to feel comfy in the building.”
The Office of Admissions is currently hoping to move into the new facility at the end of May.
