Getting ready for the dedication

We've moved in and now we're putting on the finishing touches to welcome donors and dignitaries to the official dedication of the Paul H. O'Neill Graduate Center on March 24 at 2 p.m. 

A passing cyclist admires the gleaming facade of the new graduate center.

"A real leader hungers for the responsibility of making a difference." - Paul H. O'Neill

Learn more about our building's namesake and the graduate center.

A commemorative plaque in the front vestibule.

The door into the first-floor commons, where the main event will take place.

Setting up the first-floor commons in preparation for the big event.

Adding finishing touches.

A podium fit for the president (of the university) and other dignitaries.

Move-in March

Today we celebrated moving into our new home—or, rather, expanding into it—as the Paul H. O’Neill Graduate Center opened in time for the first day of spring semester classes with a bagpipe parade.

A happy throng followed bagpiper Ian Arthur* from the existing SPEA building into the O’Neill Center—28,000 light-filled square feet of new space for classes, the Masters Program Office, common areas, and more. The O’Neill Center expands the footprint of the original SPEA building to extend out to Tenth Street, and will have an official dedication ceremony on March 24.

But for today, we heralded the O’Neill Center in SPEA style:

It was short.

It was loud.

It was glorious

And, oh yes, it ended with food.

Watch a video of the celebration.

See our progress over the year.

* Angus Martin, our originally scheduled bagpiper, took ill. Thank you for stepping in, Ian, and feel better soon, Angus!

Getting ready for move-in day

The fence is gone, and furniture and finishing touches are being put in place in anticipation of classes beginning on January 9 in the Paul H. O'Neill Graduate Center. 

The construction fence has been removed, the plaza is complete, and landscaping is in.

Space for collaboration, supported by technology.

Dedicated space for doctoral students, along with new lounges for grads, undergrads, faculty and staff.

New conference space within the Masters Program Office.

The spectacular stairway (and, not pictured, airy, open commons areas...)

And walls with the perfect backdrop for photos.