USC Upstate celebrated its first new building in 15 years on Thursday, Oct. 2, as the Learning Commons officially opened its doors to the campus community.
“For decades, the library has been the heart of our campus, a place where curiosity and knowledge meet, where students discover themselves and the world,” Chancellor Bennie Harris told assembled guests. “With this expansion, the Learning Commons, we are answering the needs of a growing student body and creating space designed for innovation, research, and collaborative learning.”
During the planning phase of the project, Harris charged Moseley Architects to design a building that had a “wow factor” but that wouldn’t look dated in the years ahead. The result is a 22,000-square-foot two-story space that brings the outside in through large glass windows and an abundance of wood elements.
To create a building with a timeless feel, Moseley wanted it to tell a story that would resonate with past, present and future generations of Spartans. The design’s emphasis on natural beauty and community reflect two qualities that focus groups repeatedly used to describe the Upstate campus.
Anne Flynn, chair of the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education, praised the building’s marriage of form and function. “This building speaks to a passion for learning, a source of knowledge, an environment of curiosity, a center of excellence and a symbol of our past and our future,” she said. Quoting famed CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite, she added, “Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.”
Following a ribbon cutting, guests were invited to walk through the building and enjoy refreshments set out on the patio.
On the first floor of the Commons, wood elements stretch upwards to the second floor and out across the ceiling to create the feeling of a tree canopy. A curving blue pattern with a sandy border that suggests a meandering forest creek snakes across the floor, guiding visitors through the space. In the reception area, pendant lights hang from the wood slats like leaves on a tree.
Students are central to the building’s mission. The offices for Student Success and Career Management are located in the Commons, as is the Center for International Studies and a study hall for Athletics. On both floors there are ample areas for gathering or relaxing. Pod furniture allows students to work privately, while study rooms and open seating areas create places to collaborate on group projects.
The Commons also has a dedicated commuter lounge, where students who live off campus can hang out between classes, heat up a meal, or study. It seeks to encourage connections between commuter students to help them feel part of the campus.
Sophomore biology major Hania Mejares, herself a commuter, said she appreciates the Commons being a welcoming space for everyone. “It isn’t just about adding more rooms — it’s about creating spaces where we can learn, grow, and feel supported.”
The Commons is connected to the main Library by a glass-enclosed walkway. A mobile-like fixture overhead can be reconfigured based on the changing seasonal light and to add movement to the space.
Susannah Waldrop, assistant vice chancellor for Student Success, said she was excited by the possibilities the new building represents. “I hope it’s where students will find their success and feel comfortable asking for help, because that’s what everything is in here – a place where you can make your dreams come true.”
More photos from the event can be found on our Flickr album.