Amarillo College President Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart announced Sept. 29 that the building previously named Lynn Library on the Washington Street Campus now will be called the Ware Student Commons in commemoration of the Ware family, longtime benefactor to AC and the whole Amarillo community. The campus has been undergoing a large construction project in the now Ware Student Commons, the College Union Building and in the mall common area since the beginning of August. The Ware family, owners of Amarillo National Bank, donated a $1 million gift to AC to help with the construction process. ANB President Richard Ware said he believes the new student commons will be a more inviting space and the place to be on campus. Ware said he hopes the new student commons will be used especially by students working their way through college. “Students need all the help they can get in the classroom, getting ready for a test,” Ware said. “This will be an area you can bring a lot of students together, especially first-generation college students making a big sacrifice to get an education that’s going to pay off.” Lowery-Hart also announced that the mall common area between the CUB and the Ware building will be called the Oeschger Family Mall. “Sharon Oeschger and her husband, Larry, have been the history of this college in so many profound ways, and it’s an honor to have them as a permanent fixture in what will be the most visited part of any AC campuses,” he said. Within the Ware Student Commons will be the Natalie Buckthal Tutoring Center, “honoring Paul Buckthal’s wife, Natalie, who served as president of the foundation board and has been a longtime faculty member,” Lowery-Hart said. Mark Hanna, director of the library, said the renovation project has been in the works for a long time. “Finally with all the plans and different ideas proposed in the last, say three or four years, now it has finally happened,” Hanna said.“The building has needed some work, because the cornerstone was laid in 1968. They put a plaque on the wall that is dated 1969, so it has been a long time.” The fourth floor of the building will keep the name Lynn Library. “There the dedicated plaque and picture of Lucille Lynn is prominently displayed by the elevators,” Hanna said.Students are on board for the remodel as well. David Cochran, a psychology major, said he believes the new student commons will be “utilized to a great extent.” After the renovation is completed, students will be able to use any of the areas to socialize, study or simply relax between classes to make college a more student-friendly place.
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