O’Keeffe Gift Expands King’s Campus
The creation of the Student Union was made possible by a gift from the O'Keeffe family on behalf of the Esther B. O'Keeffe Charitable Foundation.
NEW YORK CITY – June 15, 2015 – Due to a generous gift, when students return to campus in Fall 2015, there will be a new addition: the O’Keeffe Student Union.
The new space measures over 3,000 square feet and is located directly below the College lobby at 56 Broadway, in the space most recently occupied by Café Bravo. King’s students will access the space from an entrance at the corner of New Street and Exchange Place, which will be monitored by security and is steps from the College’s main entrance. Inside, students will have a comfortable space to gather and work, as well as hold meetings and events.
The creation of the Student Union was made possible by a gift from the O’Keeffe family on behalf of the Esther B. O’Keeffe Charitable Foundation. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with The King’s College in creating this important space for their students,” said Miss Clare O’Keeffe, a representative from the O’Keeffe Foundation. “We know that the O’Keeffe Student Union will play an integral role in student life on campus.”
“King’s moved to the Financial District two years ago, but important complements to the community were left behind in the Empire State Building, most notably close student housing and a large student lounge,” said Reese Evans, President of the Student Body at King’s. “Earlier this year, we moved forward by obtaining better, closer student housing than we’ve ever had before. Now, King’s has finally gotten that last important piece of the puzzle: a bigger and better student lounge. Located on campus, this new space will be completely dedicated to the students. I’m so excited for this acquisition, and know King’s will benefit from these two new additions to the community.”
“The acquisition of space for a Student Union at our campus at 56 Broadway is a dream come true,” said David Leedy, Dean of Students. “Ever since we moved out of the Empire State Building three years ago, students have felt the lack of a large student lounge. Having a dedicated space where King’s students can relax and host events is a huge win. Students will benefit – and community on campus will be stronger.”
“This new space recaptures some of what we had when our campus was located at the Empire State Building,” said President Gregory Alan Thornbury. “We’re so delighted that Miss O’Keeffe is partnering with King’s to help improve the life of our students and cultivate a vibrant community here in our downtown Manhattan campus.”