The University of Nebraska–Lincoln will celebrate the opening of the Massengale Residential Center from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11.

The new space replaced the 300-bed, 1950s-era Burr and Fedde residence halls, and offers an estimated 370 beds in a mix of traditional and apartment-style units, Plans for the area around Burr-Fedde are being developed by university administrators.

Massengale Residential Center features an open layout, common area spaces, floor lounges and large meeting spaces to accommodate group study. The residential center also offers views of a prairie grass planting area to the east and the Earl G. Maxwell Arboretum to the south. Other features include a game room, social areas, a courtyard fire pit area, study rooms and a location near the updated East Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

“The Massengale Residential Center is a phenomenal living, learning space for our students to call home,” said Mike Boehm, vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Craig Chandler | University Communication

Students gather around the fire pit in the courtyard of Nebraska's Massengale Residential Center.

Martin and Ruth Massengale, for whom the center was named, will be honored during the grand opening. Martin Massengale transitioned into retirement earlier this year after more than four decades at the university. He first came to Nebraska in 1976 as vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and became Nebraska’s 16th chancellor in 1981, a post he held for 10 years. Massengale was both interim president of the University of Nebraska system and chancellor at Nebraska from August 1989 until his permanent appointment as president in 1991. When the Center for Grassland Studies was formed within IANR in 1994, Massengale became the founding director.

Visitor parking for grand opening guests will be available in the lot north of the College of Dentistry.

Video: Aerial view of Massengale Residential Center