Westfield State Dedicates New Dining Facility October 04, 2011
WESTFIELD, Mass., September 28, 2011 - Westfield State University unveiled a large-scale renovation to their dining facility that has been in development over the past five months. The ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the new Tim and Jeanne's Dining Commons was held on Tuesday September 27 at 9:45 p.m. The event was followed by the semester's Late Night Breakfast with the President event.
Westfield State named the building after Tim Murphy and Jeanne Julian, retired employees of the university, who with a combined 64 years of service between them, served as Vice President of Administration & Finance and Director of the Grants Office, respectively. "We enjoy news about all of the recent improvements to Westfield's campus. We're glad that this renovation means a super new dining experience for students. And the students should be glad that "Tim and Jeanne" don't actually do the cooking in 'Tim and Jeanne's," shared Tim Murphy and Jeanne Julian from their home in the Carolinas.
The building, which houses the Father Dean Dining Hall, the Tekoa Room and Pandini's, has expanded to 39,000 square feet, and has new 16 foot windows that look out over the campus green.
According to Westfield State President Evan S. Dobelle, the building presented some unique challenges. Integrating the unique roofline with the addition and assuring that the addition complemented and reinforced the Campus Green was one of the most challenging aspects of the renovation.
Key to the project's success was the support of Westfield State students. "The project symbolizes growth for the university," said Dobelle. "It reflects our commitment to our students. The dining commons was undersized and caused inconvenience for them, and this project alleviates the issue."
Tim and Jeanne's now seats approximately 500 more students, and its completion serves as the kickoff to a significant list of Campus Master Plan building improvements. Future projects on track to be completed on or before 2015 include wellness center and library upgrades in Ely Campus Center, the construction of a new 413-bed residence hall, a new academic center as well as more deferred maintenance to existing buildings.
