Designer, Matthew Hoey, was commissioned to create a reception desk for the new Alumni Center. The main focus of the Center was to use as much "green" material as possible in the construction of the building and in the furniture and cabinetry within. As usual, Matt came up with a daring design, using some very unique material selections.

The wood on the upper counter is jatoba, an Australian wood, grown and harvested in a sustainable manner. The lower desk top is a panel product called Dakota Burl, made from the husks of sunflower seeds, which formerly were discarded. Finally, the stainless steel grid forming the modesty panel of the desk, is made by a German company using the most up to date, eco-friendly manufacturing process.