Several hundred NDSU students, faculty and staff joined members of Gate City Bank to dedicate Gate City Bank Auditorium Aug. 20.
A $500,000 gift from Gate City Bank to the NDSU Development Foundation renovated the former Stevens Hall Auditorium and created an endowment for ongoing maintenance. Improvements to the nearly 500-seat auditorium included new seats, lighting and carpet, easier access for people with disabilities and updated educational technology.
President Dean L. Bresciani said Gate City Bank stepped up once again for NDSU to improve one of the campus’ largest and busiest auditoriums. “The breadth and results of Gate City Bank’s gift are stunning and will impact students for a long time,” he said.
A high school freshman when the auditorium was originally dedicated in 1968, Gate City Bank Chairman, President and CEO Steve Swiontek said he had several classes in the building upon entering NDSU in 1972. He said the partnership between the bank and NDSU supports the university’s land-grant mission and status as an economic engine of North Dakota. “This gift is another example of the importance Gate City Bank places on giving back to the communities we serve,” Swiontek said.
Bresciani said the renovation was designed for contemporary research university students. “Gate City Bank, thank you once again for investing in the state, university and students,” he said.
NDSU Development Foundation President Jonal Uglem said, “The term ‘dedication’ really does reflect what Gate City Bank feels for this university and this community.” She added the remodeling is “another step toward prioritizing the student learning environment.”
NDSU’s fall classes began later the same day of the ceremony. “We can now declare Gate City Bank Auditorium open for business,” said Jim Miller, executive director of the NDSU Development Foundation. “Students will be coming in within hours to begin their first classes.”
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.