Looking out over the Northwest College campus, Jorge Aponte couldn’t believe his eyes. The Argentinian Spanish Language professor and Fulbright Scholar immediately reached for his phone and started photographing the phenomenon: Snow!

He had never seen it before. It was also the first time he was able to roam the halls of the new student center thanks to a soft opening of the brand new $23.4 million, 35,220-square foot facility.

“It's amazing. Spectacular,” he said. “Everything is so perfect.”

Designed by Hord Coplan Macht, work began in January 2023 with demolition of the nearly 60-year-old DeWitt Student Center. The new two-floor facility maximizes the available space much better than the former building, said NWC President Lisa Watson.

The building will house NWC’s dining hall and food service operations in addition to a coffee bar, student lounge, student activities center, and state-of-the-art study and instructional spaces. Offices for resident life, campus security and student success, an area for student clubs and a multi-purpose community meeting room are also included.

Beyond function, the building is beautiful thanks to details like the centerpiece fireplace, stretching from the floor to the wood beams of the vaulted ceiling in cut stone and adorned with a sculpture by Shelley and Rob Beishline, who created “Landform Journey” based on the topography of the Big Horn Basin, including Heart Mountain. The artwork represents the topographic map of the Big Horn Basin; monochrome on one side and with color on the other side of the double-sided fireplace. Watson is excited to have a gathering place once again.

“You could really feel the gap when we had the student center closed,” she said. “It's not that they didn't come and enjoy other spaces, because we've had students all over campus. But just to have a place to gather again, I think that's going to be really nice.”

There will be little tweaks that come with new construction, but this project will open without debt, thanks to generous supporters and a years-long effort by the NWC Foundation, she said.

“We just did what it took — saved just like everybody does. And we had a great foundation campaign [to match state funds].

Diedre Asay, who works both for the foundation and co-owns the 105-year-old Vali Twin Theatre on Powell's main street, walked to the student center during the worst of the short-lived snow squall. She had been waiting for this day for a long time and the snow simply added to the moment.

Originally from Twin Falls, Idaho, Asay came to Northwest College to study photography in the late 90s. She thought she'd get her degree and move on. She met her husband, Brandon, while attending classes and they moved on after graduation. But they couldn't stay away and moved back to Powell, where the couple bought the Vali Twin Cinema from Brandon’s parents and she took on the job at the foundation. This was a special day for her.

“We fundraised for several years for this, so it's just really exciting to see it done,” she said. “I think the students are gonna love it.”

The plan for a new student center dates to 2014 when it was identified as the top priority in the NWC Facilities Master Plan. Following the goals set forth in the college’s strategic plan, the project kicked off in 2016, with college officials working closely with the State Construction Department to design a facility that would best meet the needs of NWC students and the community.

R.J. Kost, who was first appointed to the NWC Board of Trustees in 2023 and elected to the position on Nov. 5, was on hand for the opening and loved watching a large group of students exploring their new center.

“It's fun to watch all these kids in their excitement,” he said. “It's really great for this campus and for the college. We've needed this for so long. The old student center cafeteria was broken down, but replaced so well. This is gorgeous.”

A large contingent of students, mostly freshmen and sophomores, were excited to get a first look. Some toured the building, while others immediately grabbed pool cues, air hockey paddles and took turns playing and relaxing with friends.

“It's awesome. This gives us a place to hang out and gives us space to study with all the study rooms up upstairs,” said Drew Ellingson, a welding student from Sydney, Montana, adding “The cafeteria looks nice too.”

Tayva Phillips, a criminal law student from Colorado Springs, hopes the new center will bring the students together, making for a friendlier campus.

“It's a big change for us. I think it will make us all closer,” she said. “I love it!”

(Zac Taylor contributed reporting)