{"id":167770,"date":"2026-08-05T09:11:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T13:11:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=167770"},"modified":"2026-08-06T09:15:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T13:15:54","slug":"fresh-spaces-bold-ideas-whats-new-at-wright-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2026\/08\/05\/fresh-spaces-bold-ideas-whats-new-at-wright-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Fresh spaces, bold ideas: What’s new at Wright State"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>A beloved campus space, reimagined<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Wright State unveiled a vibrant new version of one of the campus\u2019s most beloved landmarks \u2014 now officially called the Moat at Wright Plaza<\/a> \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to create a space where students can gather, build community and take advantage of being outdoors \u2014 something that\u2019s so important for both mental and physical well-being,\u201d said Wright State President Sue Edwards.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ten years and a new home<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When ReyRey Caf\u00e9 opened in 2015, it was a small experiment \u2014 a student-run coffee shop giving business students a chance to manage something real. A decade later, it\u2019s a campus staple.<\/p>\n

Last fall, ReyRey Caf\u00e9 moved from Rike Hall to Dunbar Library<\/a>, one of the most trafficked spots on campus. Students still run everything \u2014 operations, finances, marketing, staffing \u2014 with support from long-time partners Reynolds and Reynolds and Boston Stoker.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe premise of the cafe has always been for the students, by the students,\u201d said Cloe Andersen \u201918, the cafe\u2019s first COO. That mission, she said, has only gotten stronger.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>From the gym to the stage<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Upgraded campus spaces serve Raiders and welcome newcomers alike.<\/p>\n

The Campus Recreation Fitness Center got a full makeover<\/a>, 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 \u2014 and reopened to an enthusiastic response in January.<\/p>\n

The Student Union\u2019s 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 \u2014 a nod to Wright State\u2019s 1967 founding \u2014 and serves everything from high-energy campus tour presentations to gatherings with alumni and donors.<\/p>\n

Sandler Center fuels student innovation and entrepreneurship<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Sandler Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s entrepreneurial ecosystem.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Nursing expansion will prepare more grads for in-demand careers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Wright State is investing $6 million to expand its Dayton Campus nursing facilities<\/a>, 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\u20132028.<\/p>\n

The upgrades will enhance hands-on training with technology and patient simulation equipment, strengthen the university\u2019s partnership with Premier Health and help address regional nursing shortages.<\/p>\n

Supporting military-connected students<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The university launched the Active Duty Military Undergraduate Scholarship<\/a> to help active-duty service members, National Guard members and reservists earn bachelor\u2019s degrees.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Together, these achievements reflect Wright State\u2019s commitment to expanding access, affordability and support for those who serve while providing the resources they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wright State is enhancing the campus experience with reimagined gathering spaces, expanded student opportunities and new initiatives that support student success and military-connected learners. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":167850,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[722,733,4309,729,748,2038,2105,4929,744,725,2114,4827,2039,715,2796,4293],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-167770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academics","category-alumni","category-alumni-association","category-around-campus","category-business","category-campus-growth","category-campus-recreation","category-civics-culture-and-workforce-development","category-education-human-services","category-home-news-sidebar","category-libraries","category-magazine","category-military-veterans","category-news","category-nursing","category-student-union"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167770","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167770"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167770\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":167937,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167770\/revisions\/167937"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/167850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}