University News
Multicultural Center Ribbon-Cutting
October 12, 2009
MACOMB, IL – The ribbon-cutting and grand opening for Western Illinois University's Multicultural Center, which houses Casa Latina Cultural Center, the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center and the Women's Center, will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 in conjunction with Western's 2009 Homecoming Celebration.
WIU President Al Goldfarb, Western's Board of Trustees, WIU Student Services administration and staff from the centers housed in the new facility will take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A brief program will be held, following by a reception and a tour.
In addition to the Oct. 16 event, the Multicultural Center will be open from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17 to provide an opportunity for alumni and friends who are unable to attend Friday's ceremony to tour the centers.
"We look forward to welcoming the WIU and Macomb campus communities, as well as the University's many alumni and friends, to the ribbon-cutting and open house for this tremendous facility," said Associate Vice President for Student Services Earl Bracey. "I'd like to thank each of the center's directors for their input and support during the design and construction, and I'd also like to thank Ted Renner of the Physical Plant and the many contractors who made this building possible."
The 14,000-square-foot center, which opened in August, is the first building on Western's Macomb campus to be built under green standards, including a grass roof. Western received a $100,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to offset costs associated with pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification, and received grant funding to install a geothermal heating and cooling system. Other green building standards include energy-efficient fluorescent lighting and using a number of recyclable materials, including bamboo flooring.
For more information, contact Women's Center Director Janine Cavicchia at (309) 298-2242; Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center Director Belinda Carr at (309) 298-2220; or Casa Latina Cultural Center Director Alda Godines at (309) 298-3379.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: