But Greenwell didn’t expect the physical campus would change so much around her – a new Student Recreation Center, a renovation of the Student Activities Center, and on Jan. 30, the grand opening of the University of Louisville Campus Store.

“This is a pivotal year as a Louisville Cardinal because we are able to witness the transformation of our campus with the addition of modern, state–of–the–art concepts and structures,” said Greenwell, the services vice president for the Student Government Association.

Greenwell, Dean of Students Michael Mardis, Louie the Cardinal Bird, former University of Louisville football player James Quick, student leaders, and officials from Follett Higher ����ֱ�� Group were on hand to celebrate the opening of the new store.��

In addition to textbooks and school supplies, the store, operated by Follett, offers an array of apparel and gifts, as well as��a fully-licensed Apple Store.

The store is located on the ground floor on the Student Activities Center, on the Floyd Street Side. A plaza outside the store will be built as part of the renovation and will allow for a large gathering point outside of the store.

“We’re very excited to be part of the renovation, this new gateway to campus,” said Bob Scholl, senior vice president of operations for Follett Higher ����ֱ�� Group. Scholl said Follett has 1,200 stores and the ambiance of UofL’s store is unlike any other.

Mardis said the ongoing renovation of the Student Activities Center will shift campus life.

“We’re really transforming the student center more and more into the heart of campus, the hub of campus, the living room of campus,” Mardis said.

The Campus Store will continue to celebrate its grand opening throughout the week with a 20-percent discount on a single apparel or gift item, daily giveaways on Facebook and more. See the Campus Store and for more information.

More photos from the grand opening event are . Also, check out a video from grand opening event below:

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Follett’s network includes more than 1,250 campus stores, including locations at Bellarmine, Spalding, Transylvania and Kentucky State universities, as well as Centre and Georgetown colleges in Kentucky. It also includes more than 1,600 virtual stores and relationships with more than 6,000 publishers nationwide.

A campus-wide committee of students, faculty and staff selected Follett from several companies as part of a competitive bid process. Follett officials said the UofL community should expect fresh collections of books and other educational supplies, clothing, gifts and convenience items when the stores open this summer.

The Follett agreement includes:

• Renovation and relocation of the Belknap Campus bookstore in the Swain Student Activities Center, including an outdoor patio and landscaping, by spring 2017
• Textbook scholarships
• Books and supplies to UofL’s Signature Partnership schools
• Continued discounts on books and merchandise for faculty and staff
• A��rental program with discounts up to 80 percent off the cost of buying new books

“We are excited about our new partnership with Follett,” said Harlan Sands, UofL senior vice president for finance and administration. “It will transform our campus bookstore experience. Students, faculty, and staff can expect a brand new, state-of-the-art bookstore with expanded services and product lines.”