From Sept. 15 through 19, a week-long celebration for the completion of the Rhatigan Student Center renovation will commence.

On Monday, Sept. 15, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by an open-house event. There will be music, hot dogs and fellowship on the north patio of the RSC.

InterFest will be hosted at the center’s east patio on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. InterFest is a festival of international foods. The event will also give students a chance to experience and interact with students of different cultural backgrounds.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Student Activities Council will be hosting a social event. Students can come enjoy root beer floats.

The grand opening of Shirley Beggs Ballroom, named in honor of former President Donald Beggs’ first lady will be held on Thursday.

On Friday, a staff and faculty luncheon will take place.

After two years of construction, students and staff are excited about the opening of the RSC for full use. The grand opening week will be a chance for the campus to celebrate together.

Vice president of student engagement, Dr. Wade Robinson, is excited by what the opening means for Wichita State students.

“This is a place outside of the classroom that will provide students with a different experience than they’ve ever had before at WSU,” he said.

The new RSC boasts a fresh and modernized look, with lounge areas, dining space, diverse food options and centrally located campus offices.

With the new RSC, students have more chances to network with colleagues and friends. Meeting rooms are available for student organizations. The lounge and dining areas give students a place to eat and hang out with peers.

Dining options available in the RSC include Masala Grill, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Chick-fil-A. Fast Break serves coffee, smoothies and grab-and-go snack options. Downstairs, Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes also offers sandwiches, burgers, fries and other meal options.

The RSC will be extending its hours and will be open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

President John Bardo recognizes the importance that student centers have in the recruitment process. If WSU is to recruit the top athletes and scholars, the university must be competitive. He said renovation opens opportunities for former, current and future students, alike.

“The RSC remodel gives campus its living room back, but a newer one,” Bardo said.

Offices such as the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (formerly known as the Office of Multicultural Affairs), Student Involvement, Student Government Association, Career Services and the Alumni Association are now located in the RSC.

RSC director Jim Herrman believes that having the Alumni Association located in the student center will provide more chances for connections between former students and current students.

“We hope all students will use it,” Herrman said. “It is theirs. It is for them. Please take advantage of the opportunities for you students.”

As the school year begins, students can utilize the new opportunities available to them and make the RSC the place to be.