The Commuter Corner, renovated this summer, was dedicated today. Festivities included a ribbon-cutting by Ward McCracken, dean of student development; Tom Panighetti, Student Goverment Association's vice president of academic affairs; and Dr. Antoine Garibaldi, university president.

Many prospective college students are told that a main part of post-secondary life is getting the “college experience” – a phrase that typically refers to living on campus in a dorm room.

For some students, living on campus isn’t the right fit, so commuting ends up being the right path for them. In today’s economy, paying for room and board may be difficult, for example.

Commuters at Gannon are fortunate enough to have a program that embraces their decision to reside off campus.This year’s total number of commuters at Gannon is up to 172 students, counting for a third of the incoming freshman class. The previous number of incoming commuters has averaged around 130.

Gannon commuters find a home away from home in the Commuter Corner, located on the second floor of the Palumbo Academic Center.

It’s now been renovated for the school year and features more furniture and space for students, a cyber station with setups designed for students to use their laptops, two quiet rooms and a mini-kitchen.

In the lounge, commuter students can socialize, do homework or even nap in between classes – in short, they’re free to do all the things that resident students can do in their free time.

So the “college experience” doesn’t always mean living on campus, as students tend to think. It’s simply whatever memories a student decides to make during their time in school.