Welcome, Felician Heritage Center under construction
By Luisa Wiewgorra
[email protected]
“Probably five or six years ago we were looking at building a welcome center to consolidate all student services and now is the time. The Felician Sisters wanted a place to celebrate their legacy and it worked out because now, we can have both,” said Karen Sanborn, Madonna’s Director of University Communication.
Finally, in May 2019, more than 100 alumni, faculty, staff, and sponsors broke ground together with Madonna University President Michael Grandillo, the Felician Sisters of North America, and Allen H. Vigneron, the Archbishop of Detroit.
Overall, the construction focuses on an environmentally friendly and cost-effective process by reusing topsoil as well as asphalt and by implementing a geothermal heating system that uses the earth temperature for both, heating and cooling.
“Right now, they are building the foundation, which includes the geothermal heating system. This is environmentally-friendly because it does not only save on heating and cooling costs but also reduces the use of fossil fuels,” said Sanborn.
Besides, they have connected the water system from the main administration building and the new building.
“Currently, you can see the holes for the building and the retention pond that is going to be between the building and the service drive,” said Sanborn.
The goal is to have the shell of the building completed before the winter to allow constructions through the cold weather.
“The main goal of the center is to be a welcoming place for new students. That would be the place where new students go before they tour the university. It is also going to be a place where we can have larger events because there is going to be a Great Room that will hold around 500 people. Whether it is student-recognition events or fundraising dinners, there will be a nice space for that right here on campus,” said Sanborn.
The Welcome Center will also include offices for undergraduate and graduate admissions, offices for advancement, and alumni relations.
“There will be an art gallery space that we can use to showcase art and have performances. The Welcome Center will have a place for students to have lunch, an outside sitting area, kind of like a park and similar to what is outside the Franciscan Center. If you come to visit campus as a new student everything will be right there,” said Sanborn.
“I believe that the new Welcome Center would be a good place to collaborate with people,” said Marlon Freitas, a Sport Management major. “A new dining option for us is always great.”
Not only will it be a welcoming place for new students, but also include the Felician Sisters’ heritage center and archives. “It will be like a museum and you will be able to walk through and experience their history,” said Sanborn.
The contemporary structure of the building was inspired by the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and will reflect the values of St. Francis.
“4,300 square feet of the building is going to be their museum and heritage center. That will be right on the main floor. It is nice to have it on campus because more than 80 years ago, the Felician Sisters founded the university and now, all of their history will be right here,” said Sanborn. “The Felician Sisters have provided funding, but we are still trying to raise additional funds with the Welcome Center Campaign to pay off the building. Hopefully, everything will be paid for with donations.”
Eight trees are going to be planted in the garden, which will be donated by the eight Felician Provinces in the United States. The ninth tree will represent Mary, the Madonna.
“The Welcome Center and Felician Sisters of North America Heritage Center centers Madonna’s memorable history in one spot. Our school is built off of religious values and is a great way of embracing it,” said Katelyn Engelhardt, an Early Childhood Education major.
[email protected]
“Probably five or six years ago we were looking at building a welcome center to consolidate all student services and now is the time. The Felician Sisters wanted a place to celebrate their legacy and it worked out because now, we can have both,” said Karen Sanborn, Madonna’s Director of University Communication.
Finally, in May 2019, more than 100 alumni, faculty, staff, and sponsors broke ground together with Madonna University President Michael Grandillo, the Felician Sisters of North America, and Allen H. Vigneron, the Archbishop of Detroit.
Overall, the construction focuses on an environmentally friendly and cost-effective process by reusing topsoil as well as asphalt and by implementing a geothermal heating system that uses the earth temperature for both, heating and cooling.
“Right now, they are building the foundation, which includes the geothermal heating system. This is environmentally-friendly because it does not only save on heating and cooling costs but also reduces the use of fossil fuels,” said Sanborn.
Besides, they have connected the water system from the main administration building and the new building.
“Currently, you can see the holes for the building and the retention pond that is going to be between the building and the service drive,” said Sanborn.
The goal is to have the shell of the building completed before the winter to allow constructions through the cold weather.
“The main goal of the center is to be a welcoming place for new students. That would be the place where new students go before they tour the university. It is also going to be a place where we can have larger events because there is going to be a Great Room that will hold around 500 people. Whether it is student-recognition events or fundraising dinners, there will be a nice space for that right here on campus,” said Sanborn.
The Welcome Center will also include offices for undergraduate and graduate admissions, offices for advancement, and alumni relations.
“There will be an art gallery space that we can use to showcase art and have performances. The Welcome Center will have a place for students to have lunch, an outside sitting area, kind of like a park and similar to what is outside the Franciscan Center. If you come to visit campus as a new student everything will be right there,” said Sanborn.
“I believe that the new Welcome Center would be a good place to collaborate with people,” said Marlon Freitas, a Sport Management major. “A new dining option for us is always great.”
Not only will it be a welcoming place for new students, but also include the Felician Sisters’ heritage center and archives. “It will be like a museum and you will be able to walk through and experience their history,” said Sanborn.
The contemporary structure of the building was inspired by the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and will reflect the values of St. Francis.
“4,300 square feet of the building is going to be their museum and heritage center. That will be right on the main floor. It is nice to have it on campus because more than 80 years ago, the Felician Sisters founded the university and now, all of their history will be right here,” said Sanborn. “The Felician Sisters have provided funding, but we are still trying to raise additional funds with the Welcome Center Campaign to pay off the building. Hopefully, everything will be paid for with donations.”
Eight trees are going to be planted in the garden, which will be donated by the eight Felician Provinces in the United States. The ninth tree will represent Mary, the Madonna.
“The Welcome Center and Felician Sisters of North America Heritage Center centers Madonna’s memorable history in one spot. Our school is built off of religious values and is a great way of embracing it,” said Katelyn Engelhardt, an Early Childhood Education major.