Bryant University to hold ceremonial groundbreaking Friday

THIS IS a rendering of the new 50,000-square-foot Academic Innovation Center at Bryant University. A ceremonial groundbreaking will be held Friday for this building, as well as three others, a redesigned campus entrance and a new campus in China. / COURTESY BRYANT UNIVERSITY/EYP ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING
THIS IS a rendering of the new 50,000-square-foot Academic Innovation Center at Bryant University. A ceremonial groundbreaking will be held Friday for this building, as well as three others, a redesigned campus entrance and a new campus in China. / COURTESY BRYANT UNIVERSITY/EYP ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING

SMITHFIELD – Bryant University will break ground ceremonially Friday on a redesigned campus entrance and four new buildings, as well as for its campus in Zhuhai, China.
The ceremony will take place at 1:15 p.m. in an area directly adjacent to the university’s Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Wellness and Athletic Center and the site of the new Academic Innovation Center.
So far, $46 million of the $75 million “Bryant Builds” campaign has already been raised, with more than $15 million in leadership gifts. The capital campaign is called “Expanding the World of Opportunity: The Campaign for Bryant’s Bold Future.”
Combined, more than 250,000 square feet will be added to the U.S. and Chinese campuses.
“We are creating the world-class learning environment that aligns with Bryant’s bold future,” University President Ronald K. Machtley said. “We are enhancing our academic and athletic facilities to become best in class, with innovation as a central theme in architecture and pedagogy.”
In Smithfield, the initiative includes a 50,000-square-foot Academic Innovation Center, opening in the fall of 2016; a Bulldog Strength and Conditioning Center, opening this summer; a 78,000-square-foot indoor practice facility and enhancements to the Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Wellness and Athletic Center, including a sports medicine and training center.
A new entrance and integrated landscape also is being designed to enhance access to facilities on Bryant’s 435-acre campus, said Elizabeth O’Neil, associate vice president for university relations.
“The Jacobs Drive entrance to Bryant’s campus will be reoriented, so that campus visitors experience a clarified point of arrival aligned with the new Academic Innovation Center,” she said.
The entrance remains at 1150 Douglas Pike.
For Bryant University Zhuhai, a joint venture with Beijing Institute of Technology Zhuhai campus, Bryant’s Chinese partners have invested 100 percent of the capital for the project.
Bryant so far has added 267,000 square feet in facilities and invested more than $250 million in facilities and technology during Machtley’s tenure. This year marks the 20th year for Machtley and his wife, Kati C. Machtley, who serves as director of the Bryant Women’s Summit.

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