As the University of Mary Washington moved into its second century, the institution sought to create a landmark facility emblematic of its mission to serve intellectually curious undergraduate and graduate students in search of rigorous academics. The results: iconic 18th-century architecture wrapped around forward-looking 21st century technology.
The new 76,700 SF Hurley Convergence Center is an impressive, exciting, and inviting facility for students and faculty. Located on the main campus walkway with connections to the library, the facility houses a true blend of “convergence” of information and learning technologies, and accommodates both the Information Technology department and teaching spaces shared among multiple departments and programs.
The building is technology-rich and designed to facilitate the application of current innovative learning technologies, and structured to permit smooth transitions to new technologies as they develop. The center includes an impressive mixed media video wall, 160-seat “Digital Auditorium,” multiple video and audio production rooms, classrooms supporting multiple learning pedagogies, an “incubator classroom” where professors can try out new technologies and teaching methods, Writing Center & Speaking Center, and student collaboration rooms.
All of these spaces foster student-led learning, critical thinking, collaboration, and impromptu social learning experiences. Other features include corridor niches for a variety of learning purposes and activities, and e-stations where students can catch up on email and social networking sites.
The center also includes a new campus data center, designed for Tier III for IT systems and Tier II (II+) for MEP, and capable of holding massive digital archives and serving as a central point of access for ultra-high quality network-based resources.
