Texas Wesleyan is on the move with a new student center on the rise.

The 128-year-old university broke ground April 19 on the new $20.35 million, 44,000-square-foot Nick & Lou Martin University Center in front of a boisterous crowd of students, alumni, supporters, faculty, staff and community leaders.

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2019, the Martin Center will be a centrally-located hub for student life and engagement in the heart of campus and provide meeting space for the TXWES community, east Fort Worth community leaders and friends.

“This is the most significant capital project at Texas Wesleyan in a century,” President Frederick G. Slabach said. “The primary purpose of this splendid structure is to provide wonderful spaces for our students to engage in structured and unstructured gatherings, increase their opportunities for success and their persistence to graduation. In addition, the university center will create a great first impression for potential students; it will attract community leaders through great meeting facilities; and it will continue to drive economic revitalization of our neighborhood.”

Leadership donors Nick & Lou Martin, and their great grandson, Wyatt Campbell, made the official first dig from an excavator, followed by all donors coming to the front to participate in the groundbreaking.

Next, all attendees took part in the ceremony by outlining the perimeter of the new building. They were joined by the Gold Line dancers, Ram Band, TXWES Cheer, Wesleyan Singers and more.

“It was wonderful to see so many students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni and community partners at the event and taking part in this historic day,” Jim Lewis, vice president for university advancement, said.

After the ceremony, guests were invited to stay and enjoy snacks, free t-shirts and games hosted by TXWES Student Affairs.

Leadership donors Nick & Lou Martin, and their great grandson, Wyatt Campbell, made the official first dig from an excavator.

The Martin University Center

Located between the Eunice and James L. West Library and Canafax Clock Tower, the Martin Center will be approximately 44,000-square-feet and two stories tall. It will include a new student and family welcome center, food court, ballroom that can accommodate 300, bookstore and convenience store, spaces for student organizations and student life offices, lounge areas, meeting rooms and additional office space.