91ֿ celebrated the grand opening of its new Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, located at 350 S. Lincoln St. in Kent, Ohio, on June 3. The event, was free and open to the public.
The building houses nearly 100 employees from its Division of Institutional Advancement, the 91ֿ Alumni Association and the 91ֿ Foundation. Collectively, this group works to build lifelong relationships with the university’s alumni and friends and raise private philanthropic support for 91ֿ.
During the open house, visitors toured the 34,400-square-foot center and saw how the division’s major functions are working together for the first time under one roof.
“Before, our departments were scattered in four buildings across campus,” said Jeff McLain, 91ֿ’s vice president for institutional advancement. “The Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement brings together all areas of advancement, increasing our ability to effectively collaborate in support of 91ֿ’s mission.”
Staff began moving into the center in December 2015. In addition to office space, the facility includes a board room, two conference rooms and an event space, which allows the division to host various events on-site. These spaces were showcased during the open house.
“Alumni, supporters and friends of 91ֿ should consider the center as their home base when they visit the Kent Campus,” McLain said. “By investing in this facility, the university wants them to know that we value their continued engagement with and support of 91ֿ.”
The new building is part of 91ֿ’s Foundations of Excellence: Building the Future initiative, which involves the construction of new buildings, facility upgrades and establishment of dynamic and new spaces. The goal of this initiative is to create the most outstanding academic experience for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater community enriched by the university.