BENTON HARBOR — On Wednesday, the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees and LMC President Dr. Robert Harrison were joined by LMC Foundation Board Member James Krzyzewski and Student Senate President Miranda Bachman to break concrete for the construction of a new student activity center on the Napier Avenue Campus.

The two-story, $1.5 million center, named The Hawk’s Nest in reference to the College’s Red Hawk mascot will include spaces for clubs and for the student life director. The first floor will feature a game room, dining space, and an activity area. The glass-enclosed second floor will be available for students to use for informal connections, social gathering, and special events. It will be located where the existing concrete amphitheater is located on the Napier Avenue Campus plaza.

“We continue to look for new ways that our campus environment can contribute to student success. The Hawk’s Nest will do this by giving students a centralized place to connect academically and socially. This important addition will enhance the overall college experience,” said Harrison.

Recent surveys have shown that more campus gathering space is a top priority among LMC students. The space will be approximately 5,000 square feet, more than doubling the student activity space currently available on the campus. To help make the project a reality, the student senate asked that a $2-per-contact-hour fee be assessed to all Napier Avenue Campus classes to assist with the funding of the project. Additional funding for the project is coming from a $70,000 donation from James Krzyzewski, President and CEO of Nyloncraft, Inc.

In her comments to the group of more than 60 people gathered for the concrete breaking ceremony, Bachman stated that students are excited about the new space to relax between classes, meet with classmates, and study.

Construction on The Hawk’s Nest begins this week.  Construction will be completed during the Fall 2013 semester.