Fresh spaces, bold ideas: What’s new at Wright State

A beloved campus space, reimagined

Wright State unveiled a vibrant new version of one of the campus’s most beloved landmarks — now officially called the Moat at Wright Plaza — preserving the legacy of a favorite gathering place for generations of students and alumni while adding enhanced accessibility and opportunities for campus events and student connection.

The redesigned outdoor area features updated water elements, expanded seating, improved walkways and lighting, and a performance stage for concerts, celebrations and other events. Accessibility enhancements, including ramps connecting the plaza to the Hangar and the Quad, make the space more welcoming and usable for all.

“We wanted to create a space where students can gather, build community and take advantage of being outdoors — something that’s so important for both mental and physical well-being,” said Wright State President Sue Edwards.

Ten years and a new home

When ReyRey Café opened in 2015, it was a small experiment — a student-run coffee shop giving business students a chance to manage something real. A decade later, it’s a campus staple.

Last fall, ReyRey Café moved from Rike Hall to Dunbar Library, one of the most trafficked spots on campus. Students still run everything — operations, finances, marketing, staffing — with support from long-time partners Reynolds and Reynolds and Boston Stoker.

“The premise of the cafe has always been for the students, by the students,” said Cloe Andersen ’18, the cafe’s first COO. That mission, she said, has only gotten stronger.

From the gym to the stage

Upgraded campus spaces serve Raiders and welcome newcomers alike.

The Campus Recreation Fitness Center got a full makeover, replacing 20-year-old equipment with 88 new fitness machines and updated flooring and lighting. The redesign reflects a shift toward free weights, functional training and open floor space — and reopened to an enthusiastic response in January.

The Student Union’s new multiuse presentation room is making a bold first impression. Anchored by a 288-panel high-definition screen and Wright brothers-inspired design, the space seats 67 — a nod to Wright State’s 1967 founding — and serves everything from high-energy campus tour presentations to gatherings with alumni and donors.

Sandler Center fuels student innovation and entrepreneurship

The Sandler Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Raj Soin College of Business is helping students turn ideas into viable businesses. Made possible by a gift from Dayton entrepreneur Jonah Sandler and his family, the center supports expanded entrepreneurship programs and an entrepreneur-in-residence who works directly with students.

The center provides access to experienced mentors, business leaders and resources that help students develop business skills and compete in initiatives such as the Wright Venture competition. By connecting classroom learning with real-world opportunities, the center prepares innovators and leaders while strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Nursing expansion will prepare more grads for in-demand careers

Wright State is investing $6 million to expand its Dayton Campus nursing facilities, adding labs, simulation rooms and clinical training space to nearly double enrollment in its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to more than 700 students by 2027–2028.

The upgrades will enhance hands-on training with technology and patient simulation equipment, strengthen the university’s partnership with Premier Health and help address regional nursing shortages.

Supporting military-connected students

The university launched the Active Duty Military Undergraduate Scholarship to help active-duty service members, National Guard members and reservists earn bachelor’s degrees.

Wright State also earned renewal of its Collegiate Purple Star designation from the State of Ohio and national recognition as a Best for Vets college and Military Friendly Silver institution.

Together, these achievements reflect Wright State’s commitment to expanding access, affordability and support for those who serve while providing the resources they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.