The University of Wyoming marked the grand opening of its Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center on Oct. 24. The Wyoming Division of Denver-based Haselden Construction delivered the project just 26 months after the first fundraising dollar was acquired.

Gateway Center provides a recognizable entrance to the campus. The facility includes an event center that seats 600, student admissions, career services, UW Foundation offices, conference rooms, a “family room” complete with fireplace, and Heritage Hall—a gallery-style museum with interactive timelines and highlighting historic Wyoming residents.

During the ribbon cutting, Marian Rochelle’s daughter—former state senator and state representative April Brimmer Kunz—said the building is a “gateway to the future for the University of Wyoming.” Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead referred to Gateway as the “front door to a wonderful, wonderful life.”

The design team of DLR Group and Pappas and Pappas Architects took great care to create an atmosphere that embraces both prospective and current students and to ensure that the building would remain relevant for years to come.

Special attention was given to the technology systems so they could be easily upgraded without becoming obsolete. This allows students to take full advantage of the facility, including participating in virtual interviews with companies anywhere in the world when they are preparing to enter the work force. Advent, a firm based in Nashville, provided the technology throughout the facility, including the 30-screen digital wall in 4K resolution.

“This building really makes a statement as you enter the university and it shows, from the first moment on campus, how much the university cares about its students,” said Haselden Wyoming Division Manager Derek Oliver.