The Owl’s Nest in the Campus Center has a brand new look and University of Maine at Presque Isle officials are celebrating with a grand re-opening celebration and ribbon cutting event on Thursday, Sept. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All are invited to attend this free event.

Instead of a traditional open house, UMPI will host an “Open Nest” event, complete with free Starbucks samples, live music, Campus Store coupons, and a few surprises. Those who visit during the event will have the opportunity to check out new features in the space, including a selfie wall and modern, tech-forward furnishings.

The Owl’s Nest has served as a gathering spot for students since the Campus Center opened in 1992. Over the years, the space has evolved, featuring everything from a lunch counter and computer work stations to a small, coffeehouse-style stage. Most recently, in Spring 2017, a Starbucks counter was added. As part of the campus master plan, work was completed this summer to renovate the space, install new ceiling and floor tiles, update the lighting, apply a new paint scheme, better showcase the Starbucks counter, and install new furnishings.

“The campus master planning process we just completed really helped us to learn many things about our campus, both our strengths and opportunities for growth. One area identified was to develop a space that would allow our students, the campus community, and the local community to have a spot to meet, study, and relax,” Ben Shaw, UMPI’s Chief Business Officer, said. “With that in mind, we set forth to update our Owl’s Nest in a way that would make the space appealing and usable to all the individuals and groups that visit the space. With our focus on ambience and convenience, and the service that Sodexo provides at the counter, including Starbucks, we feel we’ve developed a space that is modern, comfortable, and functional for everyone.”

With the renovations complete, and the new Owl’s Nest open in time for the new school year, campus officials are excited to see what students, the campus as a whole, and the community think of the new space.

“We can’t wait to unveil the new look of the Owl’s Nest during our ‘Open Nest’ party on Sept. 6 and encourage everyone to stop by to see the space hopping with the sorts of activities—live music, games, food and fun—that we hope to see happening there on a regular basis,” Vanessa Pearson, UMPI Interim Dean of Students, said.

For more information about this event, contact Lydia Kieffer-Till at lydia.kieffer@maine.edu or 207-768-9502.