Carnegie Mellon University students, faculty, and staff gathered with Highmark leadership for the official dedication of the newest building on campus, the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics. Members of the BCJ project team joined the celebration to hear a range of voices share their excitement and personal experiences exploring the Highmark Center this fall. “In just two short months, we’ve already seen the Highmark Center’s presence create new partnerships and opportunities for students and further energize this section of campus,” shared Associate Vice President for Community Health and Well-Being Maureen Dasey-Morales in a video. Josh Centor, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, added that “When I come to work every day and step inside the Highmark Center, the energy is palpable. We designed this building as a destination, a place where students will come and a place where they will stay. The opening of this facility has simply transformed our campus.”

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Gina Casalegno welcomed guests and donors and expressed enthusiasm for students to find inspiration and connection at the Highmark Center, adding that “we are so proud to have achieved this important milestone for CMU and for our community of students. But we are even more proud of what you will explore, discover, and achieve by connecting with the people, programs, and activities that you will find here.” Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian shared his vision for the future of the Highmark Center and how it represents the University’s goal to prioritize physical and mental well-being, while students described their early experiences of using diverse wellness and athletics spaces within the building. After the dedication ceremony, the University band played for guests as they proceeded to explore the new center.

The 160,000-square-foot Highmark Center offers students holistic wellness services to support them as they surmount the ever-changing pressures of academic life. The building houses CMU’s University Health Services (UHS), Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS), Wellness Initiatives, Religious and Spiritual Lives Initiatives, and Athletics spaces. The project integrates the historic 1924 Skibo Gymnasium designed by Henry Hornbostel, the renowned architect responsible for many of the campus’s original buildings. Along with gifts from more than 300 alumni, parents, faculty and staff, the Highmark Center is made possible by a $35 million lead gift from Highmark Inc.