Student Centers Celebrate 10 Years of Supporting Student Success
DSA News
March 17, 2025
On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Student Centers marked a significant milestone—celebrating a decade of serving the campus community since their extensive renovation and reopening in 2015. The event, which drew over 500 participants, offered an exciting day filled with fun activities, giveaways, and a strong sense of campus unity.
The theme of the event reflected the Student Centers' community, with special focus on the numerous services available to students throughout the decade. One of the main highlights of the celebration was a beautiful cake, designed to resemble both the Student Centers South and North buildings, symbolizing their architectural significance to the University of Houston campus. Guests gathered around to admire the edible masterpiece, commemorating the transformation of these key student spaces.
“The Student Centers are the heart and living room of the campus, providing a central hub for student life. They serve as spaces where students can relax, socialize, study, and connect with each other,” said Eve Esch, the executive director of the Student Centers. “The Student Centers is an essential part of campus life and the broader Cougar Community.”
As part of the celebration, 10 interactive booths were set up, each representing a different feature of the Student Centers. Students had the chance to learn more about the wide array of resources available, including the popular Games Room, CreationStation, and the savings-focused Coog$ave initiative. These stations not only highlighted the variety of offerings within the centers, but they also served as hubs for fun activities and engaging interactions.
One of the event's biggest draws was the array of free goodies and snacks provided to attendees. Free commemorative t-shirts, croc charms, and straw toppers were handed out at the CreationStation booth, allowing guests to walk away with a keepsake from the celebration. Attendees were also treated to either a complimentary cupcake or slice of the anniversary cake.
The Student Centers’ 10th-anniversary celebration would not have been complete without the appearance of the beloved University of Houston mascots, Shasta, and Sasha. The dynamic duo arrived mid-afternoon to join in the excitement, posing for photos with students, sharing laughs, and even participating in the fun by distributing t-shirts into the crowd with a t-shirt cannon. The mascots’ energy added an extra layer of excitement to the event, creating a lively atmosphere that was enjoyed by everyone in attendance.
“The 10-year celebration made me feel even more connected to my CreationStation family and gave me a deeper sense of belonging within the entire UH community.” said Andrea Valencia, a graphic designer at CreationStation.
As the celebration continued, students, staff, and faculty all came together to reflect on the past ten years, recognizing the growth and impact of the Student Centers on the campus community. The event served as both a look back at the milestones achieved and an opportunity to look forward to the future of these vital student spaces. To commemorate student success, a time capsule was put on display, where attendees could share their favorite memories of the Student Center and any advice for students in 2035 when the time capsule will be opened.
The 10-year anniversary of the Student Centers was more than just a celebration—it was a testament to the importance of providing dynamic spaces where students can gather, study, relax, and connect with each other. As the event concluded, attendees were filled with a sense of pride, knowing that the Student Centers would continue to be a cornerstone of campus life for generations of students to come.
Written by Diana Brix -Student Worker - Student Centers