Gannon University will host a dedication and blessing ceremony for the newly renovated Beyer Hall at 1:30 p.m. Friday. After the official ceremony, attendees are invited to take a tour to see the services and space Beyer Hall has to offer.
Renovations on Beyer Hall began in September of last year and were completed this summer. The updated space serves as a place for both global and domestic students to come together, in both an academic and social setting, to foster an “intercultural student network.”
A major focus of Beyer Hall is Gannon’s global population, and the newly renamed Office of Global Support and Student Engagement, Office of Global Admissions and Outreach and Office of English Language and Global Training can all be found on the second floor.
Classrooms for those learning English through the English Language and Global training program are located on the fourth floor.
Thomas Hassett, associate vice president of global enrollment and engagement at Gannon, said that the new location allows global students to feel more included within the Gannon community.
“The new location delivers in space what the new name delivers in intention – the ability for students from around the world to be ‘mainstreamed’ [by integrating] with American nationals and be served by all areas in student life – including global support and student engagement,” Hassett said.
In addition to all of the global offices, students can also find the offices of several other student organizations that have relocated to Beyer Hall.
The second floor is home to the Student Government Association (SGA) office, the Activities Programming Board (APB) office, Greek Life and Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE).
Amanda Granata, president of the Student Government Association, likes the new SGA office location because the shared space allows for more interaction between SGA, APB and other student-run organizations.
“The collaboration area in between our offices allows for a more social and relaxed environment that can be used for meeting space, studying and social gatherings,” Granata said. “We encourage students to come this area so we are able to get to know and interact with them more than just in the classroom.”
Granata said that SGA hopes students will also take advantage of a new drop-box where it can provide feedback for both the SGA and the university, as well as turn in paperwork related to SGA programming.
The third floor of Beyer Hall is home to the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Learning Abroad and the TRAVEL program office.
The offices of the vice president and associate vice president for Student Development and Engagement, the student conduct officer and associate vice president for Mission and Ministry are also located here.
There are also several tables for students to study or meet with friends and classmates.
Kathleen Gausman, associate vice president for Student Development and Engagement, is excited that students have already begun to utilize the new spaces available to them.
“They are taking advantage of being able to grab some food, hang out with friends, charge their phones and devices, find a quiet place to study, talk with staff members and take care of student organization business all in one place,” Gausman said.
“Again, we encourage students to visit, talk with us and bring this building to life with their ideas and input.”

LYDIA FENNESSY
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