The Bobby Campbell Dining Commons is a bright, inviting space where friends and colleagues can eat or catch up. The space occupies the southeast corner of the first floor, overlooking a newly expanded lake and catching the morning sunshine.

The new dining commons, with overflow seating in Elaine’s, adds 100 seats over its predecessor, with seating options that range from intimate banquettes to a family-style table that seats 24. Low seats face the windows, which overlook the lake, while long counters with high-top seating help divide the space and control noise levels.

The open floorplan has open-access, inviting guests to buy food from Mary’s Kitchen, the new servery adjacent to the commons, or bring snacks from home.

“As commuting seniors, my sister and I decided not to participate in the meal plan,” said Lindsay Miller, class of 2019. “The dining commons is always a favorite gathering spot, so we’re looking forward to being able to meet our friends or project team members who live on campus and want to meet in the dining commons without paying.”

The dining commons is the latest gift from Bobby Campbell, a believer in the value of a Lynn education.

“My love for the school and my respect for the people who run it made me want to contribute to this project,” he said. “I just think it’s a great university.”

Campbell’s other namesake on campus, Bobby Campbell Stadium, continues to delight athletes and fans. It’s his hope that the dining commons similarly will deepen connections among students and encourage them to spend more time working and relaxing together.

Fun fact: Campbell didn’t attend college, despite earning a scholarship. Instead, he went straight to work while still in high school, earning his way from stock boy at Kinney Shoes to the CEO of footwear company BBC International, which he founded.