University of Richmond's new front door to campus officially opens; Queally Center features assembly room for 500, latest technology

October 14, 2016

The University of Richmond’s new Queally Center integrates the offices of admission, financial aid and employer development under one roof, transforming the visitor experience and serving students from acceptance letter to job offer letter. This building now serves as the front door to campus since most visitors enter campus from the main River Road entrance.

Prospective students will come to the center to learn about the university and take part in campus tours. Once enrolled, students will use the center for financial aid and funding opportunities such as the Richmond Guarantee and to interview for job opportunities.

“The center demonstrates our commitment to attracting the very best students and positioning them for purposeful lives as graduates,” said President Ronald A. Crutcher.

The building’s features include:

  • An entry plaza and rear courtyard that serve as origination points for campus walking tours.
  • An assembly room for 500 visitors equipped with three 12-foot projection screens, four 82”-LCD display panels that can be used all together or individually, and a stage at the front for keynote and panel speakers. Two vertically retractable partitions are housed in the celling, allowing the space to be divided into three separate event spaces.
  • A nine-screen video wall in the lobby that displays informational videos. The video wall measures over 10 feet wide and almost 6 feet tall. 
  • Interactive monitors and tablets provide access to UR history and academic programs, campus maps and testimonials.
  • The eight Career Services interview rooms and the four Admission interview/meeting rooms feature LCD displays and computers with Skype and video teleconference capabilities.

Construction on the $26.5 million center, which is part of the university’s 2011 Campus Master Plan, began in January 2015 and was completed this summer. The 56,000-square-foot building was built to LEED silver or gold standards with the final rating pending.

The new facility was made possible by a significant lead gift by Paul and Anne-Marie Queally, both 1986 Phi Beta Kappa graduates of the University of Richmond. Additional major gifts came from 47 other donors.

The contractors on the project were Hourigan Construction and SMBW Architects.