Adapted from this article, additional photos courtesy of Lewis & Clark College.
This spring, Lewis & Clark unveiled the newly renovated Stephanie Fowler Student Center (formerly known as Templeton). Designed to be the “heart of campus,” the updated student center features enhanced meeting and activity spaces, outdoor gathering spots, and improved accessibility features.
After a year of renovations, the Stephanie Fowler Student Center (formerly known as Templeton) fully opened at the beginning of spring semester. Use of the center is in full swing, even as the college completes finishing touches and students begin to make it their own. The bright, inviting student center features enhanced meeting and activity spaces, outdoor gathering spots, and improved accessibility features.
“We’re thrilled to unveil the revitalized student center,” says President Robin Holmes-Sullivan, who helped launch the project when she was vice president of student life and dean of students. “In the past, it’s been hard for our students to identify the heart of campus. This renovation has been a great opportunity to work on both better utilizing large space and organizing it in a way that we know is going to enhance a sense of belonging.”
The project’s planning phase was informed by a student advisory committee and included many hours of interviews with community stakeholders. Project partners included ZGF Architecture and Bremik Construction.
“Transforming Templeton into Fowler has revived our student center to be a true student union,” says Madeleine MacWilliamson BA ’24, president of the Associated Student Body. “I foresee that the Fowler Student Center will become a lively hub for residential and commuter undergraduates.”
The newly renovated building is the signature project of Lewis & Clark’s current $155 million fundraising campaign. It is named in honor of our current board chair, Stephanie Fowler MA ’97, whose husband, Irving Levin, generously donated the lead gift for the renovation.
Incoming Board Chair Paula Hayes BS ’92 called the newly renovated student center “a wonderful new resource for students” and a “fitting tribute” to Fowler. “During her many years of service to the board and the college, Stephanie has been laser-focused on the needs of our students,” Hayes said. “Are they receiving the best possible education? Are they prepared for success in their careers? Do they have a place where they can hang out and build a community of friends? By providing a more welcoming place for students to gather in the heart of campus, the renovated student center helps us advance the latter of those three goals.”
Fun Facts About Fowler Student Center
Most of the building’s LED lights also serve as acoustic absorption to eliminate echo and ambient noise.
Some of the center’s interior wood detailing was constructed from salvaged oak trees, which fell in front of the Frank Manor House during the 2021 Valentine’s Day storm. In addition, wood for the exterior benches was salvaged lumber from the old foot bridge that crossed the campus ravine.
The new addition on level 3 (front of building area) is heated and cooled with a super high-efficient ventilation system that uses no fossil fuels.
The concrete curbed planting areas collect and manage stormwater runoff. They’re sized to be capable of handling a once-a-century rain event.
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