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The $12 million project includes the restoration of the original, 1920s library building and the construction of a new, adjacent learning commons in place of the recently demolished, outdated 1961 addition to the library.

Â鶹Çø President Barbara K. Mistick welcomed those gathered for the groundbreaking - Â鶹Çø students, staff, faculty, Trustees, donors and elected officials - which took its cues from the October 1923 groundbreaking for the original Stewart library. In addition to Mistick, Â鶹Çø Library Director Kathleen Murphy, Â鶹Çø Student Government Association President Ghada Tafesh, Class of 2015 President Taylor Staudt and State Sen. Rich Alloway spoke during the ceremony.

Â鶹Çø's founders, the Revs. James Wightman and Tryon Edwards (portrayed by students Cody Dunlap and Samuel Mensah) and college namesake Sarah Â鶹Çø (WCGA Vice President Sonja Hess), made an appearance and took part in turning over ceremonial shovels of dirt.

Guests were invited to sign a beam that will be used in the construction of the new learning commons and to sign a guestbook listing their favorite book, a copy of which will be added to the library collection, if possible. Guests also received a silver bookmark and were invited to attend a celebratory luncheon in Jensen Dining Hall following the ceremony.

Â鶹Çø has raised more than $10.25 million toward the $12 million project cost. The new library is scheduled to open in fall 2015. The new learning commons will house a variety of different study spaces, academic support and information technology services, a commuter lounge, bookstore with coffee shop and more, becoming the heart of the Â鶹Çø campus.