The West Virginia University Alumni Association is one step closer to having a new home. Joined by hundreds of alumni, community leaders and friends, the association officially broke ground on the new Erickson Alumni Center today (Friday, June 1).

This groundbreaking is a monumental occasion for our alumni, friends and the University community,said Stephen L. Douglas, president and chief executive officer of the Alumni Association.Our vision for this wonderful alumni center began nearly 10 years ago, and this is truly the culmination of the wonderful support and input of our loyal alumni.

The new 48,000-square-foot facility will serve as a true destination for alumni, friends and the University community. Located on WVU s Evansdale Campus, less than 400 yards from Milan Puskar Stadium, the new center will more than triple the size of the current alumni center. Featuring architectural characteristics reminiscent of Woodburn Hall, the new Erickson Alumni Center also will boast an outdoor fireplace, terrace and grand hall with seating for 400 guests (and up to 1,000 in theater-style seating), as well as numerous conference rooms.

IKM Architects of Pittsburgh designed the building, and March-Westin is the contractor for the new center. The $12 million project is being funded through private contributions and is expected to take 14-16 months to complete. A grand opening is planned for late fall 2008.

The WVU Alumni Association, chartered in 1873, represents more than 170,000 University graduates residing in every county in West Virginia, every state in the union and approximately 60 foreign nations. With nearly 100 registered chapters and constituent groups, the associations 28,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming Weekend, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni, Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund, Student Alumni Association and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs.

For more information about the WVU Alumni Association, visithttp://alumni.wvu.edu/.