On May 18, Roberts Wesleyan University, along with community leaders, used branded shovels to officially break ground on the new Golisano Community Engagement Center. The 25,000 square foot, two-story center on the north side of campus will be the college’s first building to provide centralized meeting spaces and community interaction opportunities for all students. The hybrid groundbreaking celebration included a limited in-person program and was livestreamed on the college’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
The state-of-the-art building will also function as a workplace for Roberts’ growing custom training and education programs, such as its Community Institutes, which provide custom educational solutions and resources to Rochester-area businesses and organizations seeking affordable, real-world learning experiences and insight. It will serve as the college’s new north campus entrance.
The new center was made possible by a $7.5 million gift from Paychex founder and philanthropist Tom Golisano, the largest gift in Roberts Wesleyan’s 155-year history. The remaining capital is being funded by major donors and partners. To date, $11,252,388 million of the $15 million goal has been raised for the center and fundraising will continue until completion.
SWBR is designing the building with Home Leasing serving in the the role of Design Builder.
Roberts Wesleyan will host a grand opening ceremony for the Golisano Community Engagement Center upon its completion in 2022.