Campus News

Westminster Announces the Creation of a New Student Center

The new Bassis Center for Student Learning to open fall 2012

SALT LAKE CITY – Westminster College is pleased to announce the creation of a new learning and gathering center for students scheduled to open this fall. The new Bassis Center for Student Learning was approved by the college’s Board of Trustees in November of 2011, and will be located in the building formerly known as Nightingale Hall.

“I am very pleased to announce that in recognition of former president Michael Bassis' decade of service and contributions to Westminster's growing recognition and success, the Board of Trustees has named the remodeled Nightingale facility as the Bassis Center for Student Learning,” said Dr. Cid Seidelman, Westminster provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The new Bassis Center for Student Learning will include an indoor student commons, a full service coffee shop, an architectural skylight, a fireplace, solar light gathering tubes to bring in natural light, as well as the college's Center for Civic Engagement, Environmental Center, Westminster Scholars Program, photography labs and a new state-of-the-art eportfolio lab.

As of the fall of 2011, all incoming Westminster freshmen are required to create an eportfolio that demonstrates what they have learned during their time at Westminster. It will be evaluated during their sophomore and senior years.

“The new eportfolio lab located in the student center will be a key resource for students as they develop and compile digital resources and other artifacts to document their learning and achievement,” added Seidelman.

Renovation of Nightingale Hall began May 1, 2012, and is scheduled to be completed in August 2012. The building was originally dedicated as the Nightingale Memorial Library and was named in honor of William T. Nightingale, late trustee, for his service to Westminster and the community. The project will cost approximately $1.4 million and was designed by VCBO.

Media Contacts: Krista DeAngelis & Arikka Von (801) 832-2682

July 26, 2012

About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu or follow WestminsterSLC on Twitter.