UHD Wellness & Success Center Wins Design Award
By Hayden Bergman
Elegant. Welcoming. Captivating. These are some of the words used by the judges who deemed UHD’s Wellness & Success Center (WSC) a Facility of Merit in Athletic Business magazine’s 43rd annual Facilities of Merit Awards. Judges noted the “seamless integration of design elements,” and how they combined to create “a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.” The building’s connection to campus and the surrounding city, as well its views of the skyline, were also lauded. 
The WSC is particularly impressive when considering the challenges posed by the site, as it is bordered by White Oak Bayou Greenway to the west, the I-10 expansion to the north, and the College of Sciences & Technology building to the southeast. These factors, combined with the demand to elevate the building for flood mitigation, make the result “a stunning outcome,” said one judge.
Awards aside, the WSC offers a host of resources to students: weight and cardio training equipment, a bouldering wall, an indoor running track, as well as exercise classes, basketball and volleyball courts, and lounge and study areas. Also on offer are club sports, intramural sports, nutrition classes, a quiet study lounge, and massages.
In short, the WSC is, as the judges put it, “both functional and aesthetically pleasing.”
For information on WSC facilities and services or how to join a sports team, call 713-221-8225 or visit https://www.uhd.edu/sssl/sports-fitness/.
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
