PROVIDENCE – Providence College broke ground on its Ruane Center for the Humanities, which will become the school’s signature academic building, on June 7.

The 63,000-square-foot, multilevel facility will be the home of the college’s development of western civilization and liberal arts honors programs.

“I am more excited about the Ruane Center for the Humanities than I have ever been about any new facility on this campus,” said Rev. Brian J. Shanley, Providence College president, in a statement. “Students learn differently now than they did 20 years ago. The Ruane Center will provide Providence College with state-of-the-art teaching and learning space that promotes dialogue between and among students and faculty while also encouraging greater student engagement in their scholarship and study.”

The building is named in recognition of PC board of trustees Chair Michael A. Ruane and his wife, Elizabeth, whose leadership gift contributed to the facility. It is scheduled to be opened in the fall of 2013 and also will house the English and history departments and the School of Arts & Sciences. •