Posted: Aug 26, 2011
The Anderson Center, named for President Emeritus William M. Anderson, Jr., seats more than 2,000 spectators for athletic events and more than 3,000 people for special events and concerts. The university’s Dodd Auditorium seats 1,300 and Woodard Campus Center holds a maximum of 500 standing people. The Anderson Center, a 52,000-square-foot facility, has been under construction since September 2009.
“The Anderson Center will mean so many things for the students of the University of Mary Washington—today and through all future years,” said President Hurley. “In addition to its use as an athletic event venue, the Anderson Center will play a vital role as the site of many other significant events in the life of the university.”
The dedication ceremony also included remarks from Anderson; Edward H. Hegmann II, director of athletics; William B. Crawley Jr., distinguished professor emeritus of history and American studies; and Ashley Nixon, president of the Student Government Association. A ribbon cutting followed.
Besides accommodating larger audiences for university events, the Anderson Center will provide an inclement weather location for the many outdoor programs planned throughout the academic year.
Anderson dedicated 23 years to building a nationally prominent university, including an intercollegiate varsity program recognized for its scholarship as well as the athletic prowess of its students.
The university encourages community members to attend athletic events at the Anderson Center, the first of which is the September 7 volleyball game against Marymount University at 7 p.m. The men’s basketball team will take on CUNY York in its first home game of the season on November 18 followed by the women’s basketball team’s first home game against Frostburg State University on December 3.