"It is one thing," Joanne Glasser said, "for a college or university to say that students come first. It is quite another to erect a building with that sole purpose in mind."

The EKU president, just completing her first year in office, was speaking at dedication ceremonies Thursday, Oct. 31, for the new Student Services Building, a $20 million facility that houses all the University offices that directly provide student services.

Gov. Paul Patton, who also spoke at the ceremonies, said the building "is a great way to show our appreciation and true devotion to each student and his or her future success" and "a shining example of this administration's commitment to higher education and the reform we started back in 1997."

The building, on Park Drive near the center of campus, opened in August to rave reviews, particularly from students.

Amber Jones, a junior speech communication major from London, who presided over the dedication ceremonies, called the building "a dream come true."

Student Regent Lucas Hammons, a senior political science and English major from Corbin, said the facility "brings students together in ways that could only be imagined a few years ago."

With 130,000 square feet spread over five stories, the Student Services Building provides a "one-stop-shopping" opportunity for students by housing the following campus offices: Admissions, Billings and Collections, Career Services, Cooperative Education, Counseling Center, University Diversity, Financial Assistance, Housing and Residence Life, Individuals with Disabilities, Information Technology and Delivery Services, Registrar, Student Affairs, and the Student Success Institute, which includes Academic Advising, Developmental Education, First-Year Program, Mentoring and Tutoring, Orientation, and Testing.

"A University's job is to prepare and educate a holistic person," said Dr. Rita Davis, interim vice president for student affairs. "With the wide range of services located here, this building helps us put the focus on doing just that."

A 400-seat multi-purpose auditorium, a state-of-the-art videoconference room, a computer lab, computer store and classrooms round out the facility.

"If there is one building on this campus designed for the convenience of our students, this is it," Glasser said. "All our students, especially the upperclassmen, can testify to the fact that this building makes their lives so much easier."

The building was designed by Omni Architects; Correll Construction Corp. served as general contractor.