Click here to see a photo gallery of Brushaber Commons.

Bethel University today celebrated the grand opening of George K. Brushaber Commons. This new student commons building, Bethel's first "family room," is the result of years of thoughtful planning, generous support from donors, and earnest prayer.

The 110,000 square foot facility provides improved spaces for essential student services; headquarters for student organizations; and welcoming areas for students, faculty, staff, and friends to study, lounge, and converse. Scenic views of Lake Valentine through large windows, comfortable seating nooks, and both roomy and intimate spaces make Brushaber Commons the perfect gathering place for building life-shaping relationships.

Meaningful, practical, and convenient spaces comprise Brushaber Commons:

The two-story Monson Dining Center is named for David E. and Mary Jo Monson in recognition of their leadership, stewardship, and faithfulness to Bethel University. The modern facility (where all-you-can eat meals are available for a flat fee) features spacious food service stations where dishes are prepared to order for each diner. They include “Piatti de Pasta” for pasta and deli sandwiches; “The Carvery” for traditional meat and vegetable meals; “Ensalada” for fresh fruit and made-to-order salads and soups; “Piatta Italiano” for authentic brick-oven pizza, calzones, and other Italian fare; “Explore” for Asian stir-fry; and “Braaivleis” for grilled items such as burgers and quesadillas—all crowned by a buffet of homemade desserts.

A retail restaurant on the third level, the 3900 Grill, offers casual bakery food, soup, paninis, grilled food, and more. Also featured here is CityKid Java coffee, the product of a True Trade company whose proceeds support disadvantaged children in the Twin Cities and Central America.

The Royal Grounds coffee shop, located off the Courtyard in the ground floor Atrium, has late-night hours and serves Caribou Coffee, healthful smoothies, frozen yogurt, premade sandwiches, pretzels, and candies and fudge.

The Underground on the Commons’ lowest level is 6,000 square feet and seats 300 with a proscenium stage—ideal for community members to have lively, interactive discussion with one another or with guest speakers. Featuring a wood dance floor and high-tech sound and lighting system, the Underground, which can accommodate nearly 900, will serve as a venue for contemporary concerts.

The Campus Store is 50 percent larger, allowing for a wider range of published materials, more apparel, giftware, and an expanded line of convenience store items.

On the fourth floor are six new conference rooms suitable for private dining, seminars, meetings, or general gathering. The Mary Jo Monson Mounds Midway Room (436) was made possible through the generosity of Mary Jo Monson, in recognition of Bethel’s longstanding relationship with the Mounds Midway School of Nursing, her alma mater. The Kronholm Room (430) was provided through the gifts of several former students of Gunnar Kronholm, longtime friend of Bethel, co-founder of the academic business major, and former development officer.

The Paul L.H. Olson and Pamela G. Olson Boardroom (411) is also located on the fourth floor. This multifunctional room will be used for the Board of Trustees, executive meetings, conferences, and special meal functions.

On Brushaber Commons’ highest level is a 6,500 square foot green roof, one of the largest of its kind in the Twin Cities. Benefiting both energy efficiency and ecology, the roof has vegetation planted over a waterproofing membrane—a design that serves as insulation as well as a storm retention system.

In addition to the named areas, Brushaber Commons brings together on the second floor the formerly scattered offices of Student Development; and on the fourth floor, called The Loft, offices for vital student organizations, including the Bethel Student Association (BSA) and Clarion newspaper.