Summer News at Merrimack

Even during the summer months, Merrimack's campus is alive with activity. Read about a few new projects taking place during the warmer season.

Campus Center Dining Gets Facelift

Plans are underway to renovate the main dining hall and the Warriors Den, creating distinctive, more functional, aesthetically-pleasing food service and dining areas. 

The new dining hall will have a variety of eating styles and will include pub tables, booths, and tables for two.  The plan also includes many grouped chairs and soft round benches suitable for a more casual social setting. Improved food serving placement, additional seating, and the ability to cordon off certain areas for small functions and groups will provide further enhancements.

The project begins in May 2009 when existing furniture will be removed, equipment disconnected and the dining hall dismantled.  During construction, the dining area will be moved to the multi-purpose room where meals will continue to be served to staff and camp participants.  The demolition and reconstruction of the dining hall will be managed by Physical Plant. Hours of operation will be announced by Sodexo soon.

“This project is very exciting and the benefit to our present and future students will be immense,” said Mary Lou Retelle, vice president for enrollment and student services.  “With the support of President Champagne and Sodexo, the renovations will add a new dimension to Merrimack programming and dining experiences.” 

Remodeling will be complete when students return in the fall.

New State-of-the-Art Business Classrooms

Through a generous endowment from Francis E. Girard – primary donor of the Girard School of business and International Commerce - more classroom renovations will take place in the O’Reilly Building this summer.

During winter break, the renovations began with two existing classrooms, when they were made state-of-the-art with four plasma televisions, smart boards, and technology allowing instructors - through the power of iPods - to deliver a variety of topics at once. Even the new tables and chairs are all business.

“The purpose of these renovations is to create state-of-the-art learning environments for our students,” said Dr. Robert Cuomo, dean of the Girard School. “The design allows for maximum flexibility in management education and caters to different teaching and learning styles. The rooms are also more conducive to team work and more representative of an actual work environment.”