Bryant holding grand opening ceremony for new Academic Innovation Center

BRYANT UNIVERSITY'S new Academic Innovation Center opened Sept. 6 for the start of fall classes. A grand opening ceremony will be held Sept. 23. / COURTESY BRYANT UNIVERSITY
BRYANT UNIVERSITY'S new Academic Innovation Center opened Sept. 6 for the start of fall classes. A grand opening ceremony will be held Sept. 23. / COURTESY BRYANT UNIVERSITY

SMITHFIELD – Bryant University will host a grand opening ceremony for its newly finished Academic Innovation Center on Sept. 23.

Ground broke on the 48,000-square-foot facility on May 15, 2015 and the building unofficially opened on Sept. 6 for the start of fall semester classes.

The project, part of Bryant Builds, the largest construction initiative the university has led since its relocation to Smithfield 45 years ago, falls under the purview of the capital campaign, Expanding the World of Opportunity: the Campaign for Bryant’s Bold Future, which has raised $62 million toward its $75 million target.

Funding of the capital project has come from multiple alumni donations. The largest – $5 million – was given by a single family who has decided to remain anonymous.

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Designed by EYP Architecture and Engineering, with offices in Boston and New York, the facility is home to learning laboratories, which, through the use of smart technology including writable glass surfaces, wireless projection and docks for multiple devices, will allow for interaction and immersive, collaborative lecturing.

To kick off the school’s Homecoming Weekend, the grand opening, which is open to the public, will take place at 1 p.m. on Sept. 23. The following day, the also newly-completed Strength and Conditioning Center will be dedicated in honor of David M. Beirne ’85 and Terry Beirne at a 12:45 p.m. ceremony.

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