April 17, 2023 — For anyone walking across campus near the new Dyson Center construction site, it’s easy to see progress, and you don’t have to peek through the holes in the safety fence to notice it. The building was topped off last week as the final steel beams were put in place, completing the roof structure. The project remains on schedule for a summer 2024 opening.

To commemorate this important stage in the construction, the final beam was signed by President Kevin Weinman, Marist Trustee Rob Dyson, School of Management Dean Will Lamb and School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Dean Deborah Gatins, and others.

“The structural steel is now in place and the focus now will be on pouring the concrete floor slabs. Later this spring, the crew will focus on enclosing the structure,” said Justin Butwell, Director of Physical Plant at Marist. “Those on campus will notice significant progress in the coming weeks and months. We are on the right track with regard to the construction timeline.”  

The new 110,000 square foot Dyson Center will be a destination for all Marist students and will be a centerpiece of the academic quad. It will feature public spaces for group study, individual work, and dining options and also serve as the new home for Career Services. The Schools of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Management also will be based in the Dyson Center. As the building takes shape, students are looking forward to what lies ahead.

“I am very excited for the new building and am especially looking forward to the mock courtroom and increased number of student collaboration rooms,” said Izabella Bolczak '25, an Economics and Pre-law major at Marist. “I’m looking forward to taking advantage of this amazing new space.”

“I can’t wait to have a teaching method class in the new Dyson Center,” said Ava Sapano '25, Childhood Education major at Marist. “The new space will give education students the opportunity to get used to teaching in a classroom setup and practice lesson delivery in a comfortable environment.”

“I am happy to be a part of the first class in the new Dyson Center,” said Bella Ayala, '25 Psychology and Childhood Education major. “I am particularly excited about the Dyson student resource room where we can build instructional materials for the classroom, which will be extremely helpful during student teaching!”

The Mock Courtroom of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the new Dyson Center. Rendering courtesy of Annum.

The Dyson Center will provide Marist students with a variety of new opportunities for hands-on learning and will include unique elements for both schools.

• The education department will have a sophisticated STEM classroom to enhance teaching methods for students preparing to become K-12 teachers.
• A mock courtroom will give Criminal Justice faculty and students life-like experiences with active trials.
• A security command center will simulate managing responses to terror or cyber attacks or other security issues.
• School of Management students will test their financial acumen in an expanded Investment Center with a professional trading floor that uses the same technology found on Wall Street. It will also house the Bureau of Economic Research.
• The Social Work program will have a dedicated therapy suite.

The School of Management’s Investment Center at the new Dyson Center. Rendering courtesy of Annum.

The project is supported by a lead gift from the Dyson Foundation. The building will incorporate many sustainable construction elements, reflecting Marist’s commitment to the environment. The project includes an adaptive reuse of existing foundation and structure, highly insulated walls, a high-efficiency HVAC system, a roof featuring living vegetation installed on top, and enhanced air filtration.