Purdue Celebrates Grand Opening of Large Esports Facility

Purdue University has officially opened a new gaming lounge for students training and competing in esports as well as casual gamers. The institution partnered with Dell Technologies to outfit the 2,000-square-foot-space with Alienware gaming equipment. Dell/Alienware will also provide annual esports scholarship funding during the term of the partnership.

The Alienware Purdue Gaming Lounge (APGL) is one of the largest dedicated collegiate gaming facilities in the country, according to the university. It is equipped with 22 Alienware gaming desktops, three Alienware gaming laptops, a Nintendo Switch, and a PlayStation 5. The space includes a broadcast studio for producing and streaming video content, a training and review room, a viewing lounge, and more. In a soft launch this summer, students were able to utilize and provide feedback on the technology, "giving staff time to tweak systems to their highest performances levels," the university said.

Purdue University's Alienware Purdue Gaming Lounge
Purdue University's Alienware Purdue Gaming Lounge (photo courtesy of Purdue University)

"Whether students are looking to get casually involved or compete at higher levels, we are excited to support gaming here at Purdue RecWell, showcasing the latest technology," commented Mike Warren, senior director of Recreation & Wellness at Purdue, in a statement. "This space is about more than gaming; it's about developing social connections, finding a community, and creating a sense of belonging. We believe it will attract students to RecWell who may have never set one foot inside the facility. Once here, the students will see the entire intersection of diverse offerings for holistic well-being."

"Watching the students walk into this beautiful facility and hearing their enthusiastic feedback over the Alienware technology has been rewarding to witness. It validates Purdue's investment in the space and our strategic partnership with Dell Technologies to embolden Boilermaker gamers — from novices to varsity-level players — to engage at the highest levels of esport competition," said Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life. "These students are learning in environments that you wouldn't find in any other type of setting like this. They're gaming together. They're strategizing. They're communicating. They're problem-solving. And they're learning soft skills that will help them stand out in the job market."

"Esports gaming technology is not just about bolstering the next generation of gamers competing to their best abilities; it's about inspiring the future of discovery," said Matt McGowan, general manager of Alienware. "This partnership between Alienware and Purdue will empower players and support those gamers in becoming the next generation of innovators, engineers and researchers that Purdue has built its academic reputation on."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Recent University of Pennsylvania Projects Receive LEED Certifications

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently announced that three of its recent construction projects have earned LEED certifications, according to university news. The Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) received a LEED Platinum certification, Amy Gutmann Hall a LEED Gold, and the OTT Center for Track and Field a LEED silver.

  • New Kent State Academic Building Earns LEED Silver Certification

    Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, recently announced that its newest academic building, Crawford Hall, has earned a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The facility was recognized for its innovative design, water conservation technologies, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable construction materials, among other features.

  • Average Annual Number of Tornadoes per State

    New Tornado Wind Load Design Criteria in IBC Offer Improvements to Life Safety

    For the first time in U.S. building code history, the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) includes tornado wind load design criteria, marking a significant advancement in life-safety provisions.

  • Spaces4Learning Announces Winners of 2025 Product Awards

    Spaces4Learning has just announced the winners of the 2025 Product Awards! The award program recognizes innovation and excellence in products that enhance learning environments in K–12 schools and institutions of higher education.

Digital Edition