Lindenwood University

lindenwood university

The Student-Athlete Center on the campus of Lindenwood University works to develop pride for the university, athletics department, and student-athletes. One of the goals for the building was to develop a resource for student-athletes to continue to excel in the classroom.

Project Snapshot

PROJECT: Student-Athlete Center
INSTITUTION: Lindenwood University
LOCATION: St. Charles, MO
COMPANY NAME:
WEBSITE: www.NationalOfficeFurniture.com

THE CHALLENGE

At Lindenwood University, the priority is providing students with an exceptional academic and cultural experience; however, athletics play an important role in the campus environment.

Lindenwood University transitioned to a Division II athletic program where the competition both on and off the field escalated. As a part of this transition, the university challenged itself to develop a first-class Student-Athlete Center that would not only benefit the student-athletes, but also the entire campus, alumni, supporters, and the St. Charles, MO, community. The challenge was to keep academics at the core, and prepare the students for game time… and life.

lindenwood universityNestled on 500 acres just west of St. Louis and serving 17,000 students, the Student-Athlete Center was a key part of the university’s long-term planning strategy. The three-story, 45,000-square-foot building is attached to the football stadium and gathers the outdoor sports teams into a central location. The building’s design is focused on being the hub for the football, soccer, lacrosse, and women’s field hockey teams.

It serves as a centralized facility that includes meeting spaces, locker rooms, study areas, athletic offices, and space for events. Plus, the building is home to the Academic Success Center which was developed to accommodate the hectic schedules of student-athletes of all sports, providing them with a convenient space to study or meet with a tutor close to where they practice, train, and play.

THE SOLUTION

lindenwood universityLindenwood chose National Office Furniture to provide furniture solutions for the Student-Athlete Center. They utilized National in meeting and event spaces, three lobbies, 17 private offices, 16 open stations, six locker rooms, and an expansive library/study space. Lindenwood took advantage of National’s personalization capabilities and branded the seating throughout the facility with their logo and mascot.

IMPACT ON LEARNING

Traffic has increased tremendously through the Center, and visitors and recruits are impressed by the facility’s attention to detail and quality. The impact of this building will endure for many years by creating a premiere academic and athletic experience for both current and future student-athletes.

Editor’s Review

Research on interior design and furnishings indicates that rooms and conditions therein are important in the teaching-learning dynamic; however, students felt that these play a much greater role than the faculty did. By providing furniture solutions with students in mind in the Student-Athlete Center, Lindenwood University has seen in increase in traffic in the facility, contributing to the Center’s goals to encourage academic success.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management April/May 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Howard Community College President Joins National Research Council

    Howard Community College President Daria J. Willis was recently appointed to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Research and Community College Trends and Issues, according to a news release.

  • California K–12 District Opens New Athletic Complex, Gym

    The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) in San Mateo, Calif., recently announced the completion of two new athletics facilities: a new gymnasium at Burlingame High School, and a new athletic training complex at San Mateo High School, according to a news release.

  • Inglewood Unified School District Breaks Ground on New High School

    The Inglewood Unified School District in Inglewood, Calif., recently broke ground on a new campus for Inglewood High School, according to a news release. The project has a budget of about $240 million, funding coming through bond proceeds from Measure I.

  • Designing School Spaces for A++ Performance

    In recent years, the educational world has gained greater appreciation for the ways a space’s aesthetics, just like its acoustics, can positively impact educational outcomes. Consequently, engineering, designing, and constructing a school environment demands acoustics to be equally an art and a science, requiring architects and designers to see with their ears, while acousticians must hear with their eyes.

Digital Edition