The Regional Engagement Center was dedicated Thursday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open-house event, hosted by interim Chancellor Charles Bicak. The center will serve as a public-private venture that includes private leasing spaces for companies, as well as large gathering spaces for academic events and presentations.
Kelly Bartling, vice chancellor of enrollment management and marketing, said she has been encouraging people to come see the space.
“There are opportunities for seminars, conferences, workshops and public meetings, and Kearney has been looking for a space that gives greater opportunities for all types of groups,” Bartling said. “Once people come, see the vision and understand who else is interested in collaborating, I think we’re going to see a huge amount of activity happening there.”
The 52,000-square-foot facility is located south of U.S. Highway 30 at 2204 University Drive, serving as an anchor for the University Village.
Also located in the University Village are The Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center, Village Flats, Element 30 Apartments and the Grundy Tennis Center.
The center is now the home of the UNK Alumni Association, along with the Kearney unit of the University of Nebraska Foundation. The Alumni Association was previously located in an office in North Kearney, with additional use of the Alumni House for gatherings and events. The Alumni House was listed for sale in May of 2024 in a joint decision by the UNK Alumni Association and the University of Nebraska Foundation.
Lucas Dart, vice president of UNK alumni relations and development for the University of Nebraska Foundation, said plans for the center have been in the works since 2011.
“We knew something special was going to be here,” Dart said. “So we waited for a long time and put up with office space that was cramped, with the idea of being down here and being really a part of that campus community in a way that we probably weren’t before. Our team works hard, they deserve to be here. Our alumni have contributed, and they deserve to have a place like this where they can come and engage with the campus and engage with people from around the state. So we’re really proud to be here.”
Also housed in the center are four different tenants that are currently leasing office spaces. The tenants include Allo Fiber, Olsson, Chief Industries and Wilkins Architecture Design Planning.
“The idea is that here’s an opportunity for companies and corporations with whom this University has done business, or may in the future, to collaborate and work together,” Bicak said.
The center will also provide students with student internship and engagement opportunities.
Bartling said she sees the opportunity for student interns at Olsson, Chief Industries and Allo Fiber.
“When the businesses are looking to locate at University Village, specifically in the Regional Engagement Center, they’re wanting to hire part-time students, student interns, as well as future full-time career professionals,” Bartling said. “So that University Village connection among business partners and the university is so important. They’re wanting to be associated with our research, which includes students as well.”
Former Chancellor Douglas A. Kristensen, who originally had the vision for the center, also attended the dedication.
“So so much credit goes to Chancellor Kristensen for developing this idea,” Bicak said.
