Proceeds from the agreement will be re-invested in campus enhancements that are student focused. The health and fitness center in the Anderson Sports and Health Center at the north gate of campus will be expanded to accommodate new equipment and moved to the first floor in the area formerly occupied by the occupational and physical therapy labs. The new exercise area is going to be more than twice the size of the current facility and it will feature an expanded cardiovascular area with seven treadmills, seven elliptical machines and exercise bicycles, a free weight area and an area for selectorized machines.

Renovations are expected to begin in the summer and be completed by the beginning of the fall semester.

“We are thrilled to enter this exclusive arrangement with Coca-Cola,’’ said Dave Martin, director of athletics at Misericordia University. “The monies realized from the agreement will benefit our entire campus community through the purchase of equipment for our renovated fitness center.’’

In exchange for the exclusive contract, Misericordia University will receive an annual sponsorship gift from Coca-Cola and a percentage of the profits from beverage products sold on campus. Misericordia solicited proposals from soft drink companies to become the exclusive vendor and also conducted a sample survey among the student body to determine the preferred product among the university community. The majority of those surveyed selected Coke products. MU awarded the contract in January after considering two proposals.

“This opportunity will turn into new exercise equipment and renovations for our students,’’ said Michael A. MacDowell, president of Misericordia University. “Every dollar that is realized from this exclusive contract will benefit our students.’’

The agreement allows for a wide selection of beverage products on the Misericordia campus. Coke’s flagship products, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero and Sprite, will be complemented on campus by enhanced water products like Vitaminwater and Vitaminwater 10, Fuze tea and juice drinks, assorted V8 and Minute Maid juices, Gold Peak Teas, Nestea products and Dasani bottled water. Coke products will be available in the Misericordia dining hall, cafes and vending machines.

Misericordia University has more than 2,700 full- and part-time students on its 124-acre campus and along Lake Street in Dallas Borough. MU recently purchased and renovated the former Frontier Communications building into the College of Health Sciences, which features classrooms, laboratories, offices, a community room and café.