CAMPUS

East Stroudsburg University breaks ground on new University Center

Kathryne Rubright
Pocono Record
Student Government Association President Brian Akonu, East Stroudsburg University President Kenneth Long and the ESU Warriors mascot toss dirt at the ceremonial groundbreaking for ESU's new University Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.

East Stroudsburg University officially broke ground on Thursday for University Center, the new campus gathering spot that will replace the demolished Center for Hospitality Management.

“A university center is the hub of the college campus. It's the location where students go to grab a quick bite to eat, the place to gather with friends after class, the meeting space for clubs and student organizations, the spot to go when you need to get away from your roommate, the venue for late night activities,” East Stroudsburg University President Kenneth Long said.

In recent years, major events have been held in other venues, including off-campus in some cases.

“This is why today is such a special day. A brick and mortar milestone for the university community that is the result of the collaboration and collaborative efforts that spanned more than a decade and required hard work and coordination by many of our partners, partners that are here today to share in our celebration,” Long said.

Attendees also heard from Joseph Lee, acting secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services; Sonia Wolbert, president of the East Stroudsburg borough council; Paul Shemanski, secretary of the ESU council of trustees; Joseph Akob, executive director of the Student Activity Association; and Brian Akonu, president of the Student Government Association.

East Stroudsburg University President Kenneth Long, center, and other dignitaries prepare for the ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of ESU's new University Center on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.

More ESU news:Kenneth Long named president of East Stroudsburg University

Lee noted the sustainability elements of the new building, such as water efficiency, LED lighting and the use of some recycled materials in construction. The building is expected to use about 14% less energy than comparable buildings nationwide, he said, and will have silver certification in the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

The building should be completed in 2025, he said.

The new construction at ESU fits within broader changes Wolbert highlighted in East Stroudsburg, such as Crystal Street’s revitalization after Dansbury Depot burned out, and the GIANT supermarket and Home Goods store moving into the former Kmart plaza in 2019.

Shemanski and Akonu represented the past and present student governments, with Shemanski, a fromer student senator, recalling the 1995 vote to raise student fees as one of the first steps toward this day.

Of interest:Forgot the stuffing? These Pocono grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving

“We knew that we would not be students to see this. But we knew the benefits of what it will do for this community, area and the region,” Shemanski said.

The $76.4 million project will be paid for with a combination of capital funding through the state, student fees and retail services.

“The groundbreaking of this building symbolizes the fact that those that are in charge are willing to listen to what the students want, the experience that they need,” Akonu said. “This symbolizes that we are ready for a new era, one that will drastically shift the entire culture of ESU. That will bring students, administrators and faculty alike together.”

The new center will be “the central hub of activity,” Akob said, with meeting rooms, lounges, the campus bookstore and a theater. Various groups will have dedicated spaces, including a Student Government Association chamber, radio station and Stroud Courier offices, the Gender and Sexuality Center, the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Inclusive Education and services for students who are veterans.

There seems to be one thing everyone knows about the food offerings, he added. “It will be the place where I will go to get a No. 1 at Chick-fil-A: Deluxe sandwich with waffle fries and a lemonade in the new food court.”

“This new university center will invigorate life on campus and be a wonderful addition to the offerings in the Pocono Mountains. I cannot wait to see all of us using this space,” Akob said.

Construction equipment overlooks a fence bearing a rendering of the new University Center that East Stroudsburg University is building.