Patchogue, NY St. Joseph’s College (SJC) ground for a new $17 million Student Center to be constructed at SJC Long Island. Dr. Donald Boomgaarden, president of St. Joseph’s College was joined by Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone, Patchogue mayor Paul Pontieri, state assemblymen Doug Smith and Jarret Gandolfo, county legislator Rob Calarco and members of the SJC Board of Trustees for the occasion.

The Student Center, which is being built to serve the institution’s growing student population, will be financed by the college’s bond issue and is the first new building to be constructed on the campus in 18 years.

“This project is something that unites us,” said Dr. Boomgaarden. “This building is a door through which we can walk into new relationships with our neighbors and with each other. This building will not just contain classrooms, but it will contain spaces and technology that will serve to connect our students to each other and to the outside world.”

The two-story 32,000 s/f Student Center will feature indoor and outdoor spaces including a dining area, art gallery, chapel and office for campus ministry, veterans lounge, spirit gift shop, E-sports unit, computer and lounge spaces, conference and meeting rooms and offices for faculty, staff and student clubs. Construction is expected to begin this summer, with anticipated completion by spring 2023.

In collaboration with the Town of Brookhaven and Village of Patchogue, this capital project also includes a major sewer project that is currently underway.