The Hursey Center is one of the recipients of the nation’s most prestigious building award, the American Architecture Award. The award description cites the building’s visually dynamic and complex interior and energy efficient building systems. It also praises the Center’s placement, which intentionally creates a series of gathering spaces around the building and across the quad.
More than 200 winners were selected from a short list of more than 1,500 submissions. Hursey is one of 15 in the Schools and Universities category.
Opened in 2021, the 60,000-square-foot Hursey Center houses facilities for UHart’s rapidly growing programs in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture, such as a Makerspace and labs for the aerospace and robotics engineering programs. The building also features state-of-the-art spaces for the occupational therapy, nursing, physical therapy, and exercise science programs in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions.
In addition, the building’s airy and spacious common areas have become the venue of choice for numerous receptions and special events on campus.
The Hursey Center may be one of the most visible of UHart’s many campus improvements in recent years, but it’s far from the only one; UHart is relentlessly committed to providing students with intentional, accessible, and inspiring spaces that foster community and belonging on campus.
2024 and 2025 saw the opening of the Grant Family Track & Field and Zachs Hillel Center, among other projects. Currently in the works are the beautification of the area around Park River, and a $2.8 million transformation of the Konover Campus Center into an exciting dining destination and indoor/outdoor gathering spot called “The Nest.”