On Friday Aug. 28, Eastern University invited its students to attend a blessing of the new North Campus athletic buildings and apartments. Many members of the Eastern University leadership arrived to speak about the property including, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Stacey Sauchuk, Vice President of Student Development, Missy Bryant and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kenton Sparks.
Sauchuk discussed the importance of the new campus: “This expanded North campus gives our community the facilities it truly deserves. A place to nurture your physical, spiritual, and social wellbeing.” Bryant talked about how their number one commitment from day one is “your [student’s] sense of belonging.” She then went into more detail with Athletic Director Brian Bingaman about how these new properties “remind us that though we may span different areas of campus, we are united by one vision and one nest.” Sparks mentioned how “the board’s investments in facilities, envision and getting great coaches,” shows just how much they believe in Eastern and what is being done here. All of these people took the time to show Eastern how important this event and the community was to them and how it could positively impact everyone. This was not just the faculties point of view, but also the students who focused on the community this event provided.
Many students, including Daniel Carter, a senior resident assistant of Sparrowk Hall that attended the event, commented on how this event helped them “meet new people and make new friends.” The event was open to all students, but they paid special attention to welcoming our first-years. As they arrived, they received a free t-shirt so they could represent their new home. But Eastern didn’t leave out our returning students and instead provided free food for all. The D.C. brought hamburgers, lemonade, and iced tea to go along with all the food trucks. There was Victor’s Wood Fired Pizza, Burrito Feliz, Pip and Lily’s Loaded Tots and Kona Ice. After you grabbed some of the amazing food you could play one of the many games available. We had Corn Hole, Jenga, Gaga ball, Checkers, Connect 4 and Spike Ball spread out next to the football field.
We asked some of the attending students about why they decided to come to the event and what their favorite part was. Aaron Pandorf, a freshman in THC (Templeton Honors College), attended the event to play some games, get Kona ice and because “our football team was going to go crazy on the field.” Kaleb Blair, a freshman, said his favorite part of the event was that the community makes “it feels like one big, happy family.” Carter added that they saw the event as a way to “build community and to empower and connect residents.” Tymir Norment, a sophomore and member of the BEAM leadership team, had a blast at the event and recommends first years to continue showing up for these events. “Don’t wait for the fellowship to come to you,” instead he advises going to these events for the fellowship. Lastly, Norissa Howard, a junior, talked about the delicious food being offered, especially the Burrito Feliz truck which was her favorite one there. Overall, Eastern’s students across all grades had a great time at the event and enjoyed the community and fellowship being offered.
But the main part of the event was the actual Blessing of the new North Campus which was performed by Chaplin Joseph Modica in front of our student body. Part of his blessing included handing over wooden crosses to be placed at all locations on the North Campus to follow the Christian tradition of placing certain symbols or objects in spaces that are blessed. One thing he added to his crosses was “a dedication date on the bottom, so it says August 28th,” and he mentioned “It’s just a way of remembering God’s presence… In each of the spaces that are dedicated.” An important part of what Modica prayed was to “keep all those who enter these spaces safe and may the community formed here reflect the best of who you call us to be.”
