JerseyCity, N.J. – October 26, 2011 – Saint Peterâ€s College today marked theofficial groundbreaking on its first ever student center. The development ofthis 90,000-square-foot, six-story facility is the central component of Students at the Center: The Campaign forSaint Peterâ€s College, the largest capital campaign in theCollegeâ€s history. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of the community and local politicians joined President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., Campaign Chairman Thomas P. Mac Mahon â€68, and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy tocelebrate this exciting initiative for the College and the community.

“Facilities matter to todayâ€s student,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peterâ€s College. “The studentcenter will become a sorely needed anchor on campus – both literally andfiguratively – enabling residential and commuter students alike to learn, lead,and serve in a state-of-the-art space designed for todayâ€s student.”

Dr. Cornacchia announced the official name of the future center as The Mac Mahon Student Center in honor of Campaign ChairmanThomas P. Mac Mahon â€68, whose $7.5 million gift is the largest in Collegehistory.

“I am delighted that in some small way my namewill be attached to Saint Peterâ€s College for many generations to come,” saidMac Mahon, who shared his personal experiences as both a student and alumnus ofthe College with those in attendance.

Mayor Healy spoke in strong support of the centerand credited the project as “not only the first student center for SaintPeterâ€s College, but the first step towards the revitalization plan for McGinley Square.”

The new student center is slated for completion in2013 and will ultimately span the east side of the Jersey City campus from Glenwood Avenue to Montgomery Street. The signature buildingwill not only transform the physical campus and help to attract high caliberstudents, but it will also serve as a dynamic hub of activity for the Collegecommunity with a new home for dining, fitness, learning and socializing.

“As our college grows, this center will be a greattool in helping to attract a greater number of students and enhancing theCollegeâ€s reputation,” said Venny Jean Turner, president of the StudentGovernment Association. “This student center will also affect the currentstudent population. Students have shared their excitement with me about finallyhaving a new and modern space to study, meet, and hang out with their friends.”

The design for the center was developed based onthe input of students. Highlights of the space include cozy living room areas,a coffee shop, a campus store, spacious dining and student activities areas,fitness and gaming rooms, and more. The center will also serve the localcommunity through The Duncan Family Sky Room, which will offer panoramicviews and seating for up to 430 people.

For moreinformation, or to make a gift to Studentsat the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peterâ€s College, please visit www.spc.edu/campaign,

Saint Peterâ€sCollege, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individualattention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community oflearners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excelintellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice inour ever-changing urban and global environment.

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