Workers put finishing touches on the William H. and Elizabeth Gray Danforth University Center, a state-of-the-art gathering place not only for students but also for faculty, staff, friends, parents, alumni and visitors. The building will open to the public Aug. 11 with a full slate of activities — including special tours and giveaways — scheduled for its opening week. The three-story, 116,000-square-foot facility will feature dining areas, lounges, meeting rooms and offices for student leaders and student services professional staff. “This building will be one of the jewels of the Danforth Campus,” said William P. Darby, Ph.D., director of the Danforth University Center. “As one of our students described it, this building will be our front door — an excellent way to welcome visitors to campus.” A formal dedication is scheduled for April 2009.