Built more than half a century ago now, Wichita State’s student center began its gig as the campus heart of student life and activity with the name, appropriately enough, Campus Activities Center.
The CAC was renamed in honor of James J. Rhatigan, WSU vice president emeritus of student affairs, and the Rhatigan Student Center has just emerged, now that the construction dust has settled, from a three-year, multi-million-dollar renovation project. The newly renovated center was officially dedicated Monday, Sept. 15.
Construction began in spring 2012 with completion in summer 2014. Among key renovation goals were the expansion, integration and support of technology. The renovation added some 60,000 square feet to the existing building, room that has increased the social space for student and faculty interaction and features the newly named Shirley Beggs Ballroom. Today, the entire structure boasts some 220,000 square feet.
The dedication ceremony included comments by Jim Herrman, director of the RSC; Wade Robinson, vice president for student engagement; Matthew Conklin, Student Government Association president; Amber Sevart, Student Activities Council president; David White, partner, Howard + Helmer Architecture; John Bardo, WSU president; and the center’s namesake — Jim Rhatigan.
