Husson College building new student center

BANGOR – Husson College students soon will have a new place where they can relax and socialize.

Construction has begun on a 4,400-square-foot student center, scheduled to be completed in February.

Named for Husson alumnus and trustee Ross Y. Furman Jr. of Falmouth, the center adjoins Peabody Hall and houses a 2,600-square-foot food court and cafe that is already open.

The new center will feature video games, a pool and a performance stage, as well as areas for socializing, dancing, listening to music, and playing billiards, air hockey and table tennis.

“Our campus is bursting at the seams, and we decided we needed dedicated space for our students,” Husson President William Beardsley said in a news release issued Wednesday after a groundbreaking.

“With over 650 new students coming on to campus again this fall, and a continuing surge in overall enrollment, we need a building that will give our students a place to relax between classes or to attend a social event on a Friday night,” he said.

The Furman Student Center, designed by WBRC Architects & Engineers in cooperation with Nickerson & O’Day, construction managers, will feature vibrant colors and patterns on the walls and floors, a built-in sound system, and dimmable stage and dance floor lighting.

A native of Eastport, Furman lives in Falmouth and is owner and chief executive officer of Skillful Vending in Portland. He also owns multiple properties in that city.

“I want to return something to Husson College because it got me on my way,” Furman said in the news release.

The student center and food court expansion fill a critical need for the college’s undergraduates, whose numbers have increased by more than 1,000 over the last decade.

“We’ve given students everything else they need. Now here’s a place where they can go and relax,” said Husson spokeswoman Julie Green.

Tom Sawyer Jr., board of trustees chairman, said Husson constantly strives for “an ever better collegiate experience.”

The new center “is just one more way we focus our efforts on serving students,” he said in the news release.