Officials at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have broken ground on a new center that showcases the campus' commitment to diversity.

The Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center is expected to open in early 2010.

It's named after an Omaha native who's known in the hotel and entertainment industry for being one of the first employers in Las Vegas to encourage diverse hiring practices.

The nealy $9 million facility will include student lounges, a computer lab and meeting rooms. There will also be space for programs dedicated for diversity and multicultural programming, including the Office of Academic Support and Intercultural Services.

Students will pay half of the cost of the new center through student fees.