Even though the weather was a bit dreary Sept. 12, the mood was festive when ribbons were cut to officially re-open two Shippensburg University facilities. Members of the university community as well as contractors involved in renovation of both Ezra Lehman Memorial Library and Reisner Dining Hall participated in the ribbon cuttings.

The library project, at a total cost of nearly $1.5 million, renovated the main floor's 24,000 square feet and involved completely revamping the area to make more communal study areas as well as move the Learning Center to its new home in the facility. The library was built in 1967 and a variety of work needed to be done to modernize the facility to meet the ever-changing needs of students and faculty.

The familiar Ask Us Anything desk remains on the first floor, but the revised space is now more open and more inviting for collaborative projects. Other changes include a new library classroom and instruction labs, a conference room, offices, an art gallery, research and study areas, and six group study rooms for students.

One of the most significant changes is relocation of the Learning Center to the main floor. Students who need support from the center can now simply come to the library where they will receive help not only from Learning Center staff and volunteers, but will receive additional support from library personnel.

It also included work on the HVAC system, replacement of duct work, and modernization of the telecommunication systems as well as various steps to make it more emergency efficient, including installing occupancy sensors that will automatically turn off lights when these spaces are not in use.

Working on the project were  general contractor Palmer Construction, mechanical contractor Frey Lutz, plumbing contractor Garden Spot Mechanical, electrical contractor Lobar Inc. and designer STV Architects.

The Reisner project both renovated and expanded the facility built in 1965. Among the changes are cooking areas have been moved into the main dining area and are more interactive; student dining space was expanded and a variety of seating styles provided in an open and airy facility that now seats 900; the Tuscarora Room more than doubled in size to 8,000 square feet to allow for larger banquets and special events; the exterior was upgraded to not only make it more attractive, but also more emergency efficient with canopies added along the southern façade to provide shading during the summer months and an Innovation Technology Network grant will allow addition of a solar cell to assist in heating domestic hot water

The project's total cost was approximately $17 million was done by STV Architects; general contractor Lobar Inc., which was also the electrical contractor; HVAC contractor Silvertip; plumbing contractor JR Reynolds; and EarthNet Energy for the solar addition.

Interesting facts about Reisner

Recently Recognized as a Dining Room of Distinction by University Business Solutions for Higher Education Management Magazine.  Selection was based on food quality, atmosphere, environmental friendliness, and quality of service.

Recently Awarded the Chartwells Five Jewel President's Award for best practices embracing diversity and community involvement.   Competition included more than 800 Universities, 300 Public K-12 School Systems, and more than 80 Private Preparatory Schools.

3,500 meals served daily

80% of all served meals are prepared  —a la minute— in the dining room

150 gallons of milk used daily

1,700 pounds of fresh vegetables prepared daily

1,500 pounds of meat, poultry and seafood prepared daily

200 pounds of Pizza Dough prepared fresh from scratch daily

10+ variety of breads available each day

Organic Garden Program; the produce is rotated into the Dining Program.

Dining Services partners with the Art Department to recycle 100% of all used grease into biodiesel.