PennWest Clarion officially celebrated the opening of its new student center at Suites on Main South with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 16. 

Interim President Dr. James Fisher joined students, faculty, staff, university leaders and community members to mark the opening of the center, which brings dining, student organizations, services, the campus bookstore and gathering spaces together along Main Street. 

Fisher described the center as an investment in students and a welcoming place where students can gather, collaborate, and become involved. He thanked the employees, student leaders, and campus partners whose planning and teamwork made the transition possible and encouraged students to make the space their own. 

“Students are at the heart of everything we do,” Fisher said. “This center represents an important investment in the student experience and in creating a place where students can gather, build relationships and feel at home. We look forward to seeing the energy, ideas and sense of community they bring to this space.” 

Clarion Student Senate President Liz Traugott said the center was already creating new opportunities for student engagement. 

“The Student Senate is thrilled about the visibility and energy the new student center brings to campus,” Traugott said. “Even in its early days, the building is already accomplishing exactly what it was designed to do. It’s bringing student organizations together and giving student leaders more opportunities to collaborate, all while encouraging the connection between students and staff.” 

The student center relocated from Gemmell Student Center during the summer and opened for the fall semester. The new space includes offices for 18 student clubs and organizations, expanded lounge and meeting areas on the ground and first floors, and access to the theater in Suites on Main North. 

“It isn’t just a building that houses clubs,” Traugott said. “It’s where students live, it’s where they eat, and it’s part of daily life. It gives students a space to enhance the close-knit community that we’re so proud of here at Clarion.” 

Dr. Susanne Fenske, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Affairs, said the relocation provided an opportunity to rethink how the student center serves students. 

“Suites on Main South brings student services, activities, dining, gathering spaces, and opportunities for connection together in a new way,” Fenske said. “We are excited to see how our students make this space their own.” 

Dining options include The Talon, which offers sushi, poke bowls, stir-fry, Asian-inspired entrées, and Botrista specialty beverages. Additional dining is available at the Barista in Eagle Commons. 

Following the ribbon-cutting, guests toured the student center, sampled beverages from the Botrista system, and visited an open house at the Corner Lounge.