Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Maryland Opens New Residence Hall

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/01/21

The University of Maryland in College Park, Md., has a new dorm on campus. Pyon-Chen Hall opened its doors in time for the fall semester to about 450 University Honors living-learning program students, as well as others. The 131,000-square-foot facility stands six stories and features single and double rooms.

According to the university website, the dorm is named after two trailblazing Asian-American students from the university’s past. Pyon Su was the first Korean student to earn a degree from a U.S. college or university, while Chunjen Constant Chen was the first Chinese student enrolled at the Maryland Agricultural College (UMD’s former name). The dorm is the first to open in the school’s new Heritage Community. A second dorm, Johnson-Whittle Hall, is set to open in 2022, and the community will also feature a new 70,000-square-foot dining hall.

Amenities include air conditioning; a central lounge space; private study rooms; private, unisex bathrooms; a multipurpose room; a 24-hour laundry facility; and a building kitchen. Each bedroom comes equipped with data jacks for telephone and computer use.

The Heritage Community project broke ground in summer 2019 and will span 15 years of both new dorm construction and the renovation of older dorms on campus.

“As we build new residence halls, we’re always looking to hear from students, to hear what they most need,” said Tracy Kiras, Resident Life assistant director for communications and marketing.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Geometrik

    Armstrong World Industries, designer and manufacturer of interior and exterior architectural applications like ceilings, walls, and metal solutions, recently announced its acquisition of Canada-based Geometrik, according to a news release. The British Columbian Geometrik specializes in designing and manufacturing wood acoustical and wall systems.

  • UNT Dallas Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for $100M STEM Building

    The University of North Texas at Dallas in Dallas, Texas, recently celebrated the opening of its new, $100-million STEM Building, according to local news. The ceremony on Dec. 2 preceded the first day of classes in the facility on Jan. 12, 2026.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

  • FAU Starts Construction on Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

    Florida Atlantic University recently began construction on a new academic building for its campus in Boca Raton, Fla., according to university news. The Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will stand two stories, measure in at 22,000 square feet, and play home to the university’s Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs.

Digital Edition