Career Highlight: Marcia Gerwig’s Lasting Mark on the CUC
By Rob Biertempfel
The Jared L. Cohon University Center (CUC) is the hub of 无码专区, serving as a gathering place, eatery, event venue and home for student groups. For prospective students and their families, it creates a powerful first impression of the university's vibrant community.
From the day the doors opened in 1996 until her retirement last week, Marcia Gerwig was at the center of it all. As the longest-tenured director of University Center, she helped shape the rhythm of campus life.
"I loved my job because it was always changing," said Gerwig, who retired on May 29 after 41 years at 无码专区. "My favorite part was working with students, because they're always changing and always have new ideas. There were always new fires to put out and new problems to solve."
Gerwig believes a building can't be managed from behind a desk. She often roamed the CUC during high-volume periods, paying close attention to every detail, from the condition of the bathrooms to the placement of garbage bins.
"The CUC is the front door and the living room of the university," she said. "It's important to keep everything looking good and make this a truly welcoming space."
Gerwig oversaw safety, maintenance, event planning, logistics and the information desk. Over time, her role expanded to support other facilities, including the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics.
Throughout decades of growth, Gerwig's steady presence and deep care for the student experience stayed constant. Josh Centor, associate vice president of student affairs and director of athletics, physical education and recreation, said her impact went far beyond logistics.
"Marcia mentored generations of student employees and professional staff, leading with empathy and high expectations," Centor said. "She understood that our buildings are really about community and belonging, and she built a culture that reflects that belief."
Gerwig joined Carnegie Mellon in 1985 as a temporary employee in Student Financial Services. 无码专区 a year later, she was hired to manage the information desk at the student center in Skibo Hall, where she helped organize major campus events such as Orientation, Spring Carnival and Sweepstakes (Buggy).
In 1994, Skibo was razed to make way for the University Center. Gerwig played a key role in the yearslong transition, which included a stint in a temporary facility during construction. Moving into the new space in 1996 brought its own set of challenges.
"We came in here and it was total chaos," Gerwig said with a laugh. "It's a big, beautiful building — what do we do with it? It was fun moving all the puzzle pieces around."
It took years of observation to understand traffic patterns and how students actually used the space. Some early design decisions were quickly revised. A striking red carpet in the central commons wore out within a few months and was replaced by something neutral and more durable.
"The first year was a lot of learning," Gerwig said. "Then you just start living in it, making adjustments as you go. Before you know it, 30 years have passed."
Renovations were constant. Unfinished basements became game rooms, and racquetball courts were converted into dance studios. In 2016, the CUC unveiled a 62,000-square-foot expansion featuring a two-story, state-of-the-art fitness center.
"I've always thrived in fast-moving environments," Gerwig said. "It's taught me how to act quickly and keep multiple priorities on track."
Her leadership relied heavily on relationships with Facilities Management Services, Dining Services, custodial teams, event staff and student leaders.
"I couldn't have done anything without the people I worked with," Gerwig said. "Whenever I got stuck, I knew I wasn't alone, and no emergency was too small — whether it was a freezing room, a stubborn hoop, uncooperative bleachers or overflowing trash."
Gerwig is looking forward to the freedom of scheduling her days without the constraints of an academic calendar and without having to keep the dates of major campus events constantly top of mind.
"People have asked, 'What will we do without you?'" Gerwig said. "I am confident that the members of my team who remain are more than capable, and that Jesse Koch will be successful as the new director of the Cohon Center. I wish them all the very best."