Chapman Opens Campus Center at Rinker

Students at Chapman University’s Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine celebrated the opening of their Campus Center on June 28.

The building offers meeting, study and community space at Rinker Campus. The facility gives Chapman more space to partner on events with community groups and offers academic support services, open and private spaces, food, and art and photography.

“Today is family day,” Dean of Students Jerry Price said at the opening ceremony. “Today is the student-centered celebration for those who are going to be using this facility every day.”

Students, staff and faculty took tours, played games, enjoyed food and posed with Pete the Panther. Students have been using the Campus Center since the minute it became operational, facility manager Joe Koluder said.

“It’s so exciting to have a facility for you to not only further your academic purpose but also for you to just be,” he told students at the opening.

Students representing Chapman’s Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and the School of Pharmacy, which are housed at Rinker Campus, spoke at the opening.

“Just within the past week of it being open I have seen the immense difference the building has made to our campus,” said Brenda Kilzi, a first-year Doctor of Pharmacy student.

“I cannot wait for myself and others to enjoy this amazing building for years to come,” added Kara Ito, a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student.

Campus Center amenities include:

Chef-helmed Paws Cafe, serving lunch and dinner and offering an all-day coffee bar.
Panther Store, selling books and apparel.
Panther Pantry food pantry, which any student can request access to.
Fitwel certification, which indicates construction focused on health and well-being.
Prayer and reflection room.
Amazon locker, laptops for checkout and wireless charging packs.
Food prep and storage space.
Student organizations workroom, with meeting space and lockers.

Investment in graduate health science programs is one of the pillars of Chapman’s strategic plan, including achieving a state-of-the-art Rinker campus in the next five years.

A community-wide grand opening for the Campus Center will be held Oct. 25.