UNMC Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, on Friday hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony for UNMC Residences, which is now the largest student housing facility on the UNMC Omaha campus.
Chancellor Davies told an audience of university and community leaders, as well as members of the UNMC community, that providing such housing is “key to ensuring a seamless education for all students that enables them to thrive, both academically and personally while at UNMC.”
Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, president of the University of Nebraska System, who initiated the project while he was UNMC chancellor, thanked those who made it happen.
“This is all about growing UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, making sure that we are continuing to mightily contribute to the health professions workforce pipeline of our community, and, frankly, to grow prosperity for all of Nebraska.”
To grow the economy of the state, he said, “having world-class facilities, whether it’s the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, the Davis Global Center or this amazing facility here, all adds into attracting the most talented educators and the most talented students.”
NU Regent Paul Kenney called the new building another example of the public-private partnerships that continue to strengthen UNMC and the university as a whole.
“It’s important to note that while the construction is funded through student housing fees, students from our privately supported Scott Scholars Program will reside here, and we’ve partnered with Burlington Capital to manage this facility,” he said.
PhD student Elina Wagner also spoke to the audience, thanking the project’s partners and supporters for helping realize a longtime student goal of adding more campus housing.
“Wherever you’re coming from, it can feel isolating moving away from the family and the environment you know,” she said, adding that a place where students can live, study, spend time together and create friendships is important and benefits the UNMC community.
“The location is another huge advantage,” she said. “It’s close to campus, to the labs, to classes, the gym and Blackstone to grab coffee or dinner or just meet up with friends.
“And speaking as an international student, not used to the Midwestern winters, being this close to campus and not having to spend too much time outside is just another perk.”
The building is not open only to residents. All UNMC students, faculty and staff have card access to the first-floor commons that offers lounge space with a fireplace, collaborative study and meeting spaces, small conference rooms, a convenience store and outdoor patio.
Cutting the ribbon at the event were: Dr. Davies; Dr. Gold; Wagner; Regent Kenney; Regent Robert Schafer, JD; Anne Barnes, NU senior vice president for finance and UNMC vice chancellor for business, finance and business development; Jennifer Bartholomew, associate vice chancellor for facilities management and planning; Phil Covington, EdD, associate vice chancellor for student success; Lisa Roskens, CEO of Burlington Capital; Laura Miller, PhD, director of education for the Walter Scott Family Foundation; Curt Witzenberg, a principal of Holland Basham Architects; and Matt Schendt, COO of Hausman Construction.
In August, occupants will begin moving into the six-story, 305-bed building, which will house UNMC students with a secure entrance to living areas on the second through sixth floors.