Room A VIEW
with some
airport to the river...” adding that “... people will see this cross and know it is the chapel at Xavier University.” President Norman C. Francis expressed his enthusiasm over the latest developments. “The new chapel and its centrality on campus will reinforce Xavier’s historic Catholic identity and its continued commitment to the goals and mission established by Saint Katharine, and will welcome students of all faiths to share in their spiritual development,” he said. The project is expected to cost more than $8 million, however Francis is optimistic about raising the needed funds. “We sometimes don’t appreciate how fortunate we have been,” he said. “We have faith that those things which we would like to do, can be done.”
A model with the roof removed to show the octagonal interior of the 11,000 square foot chapel.
Pelli, whose firm Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has designed some of the most famous buildings in the world, including the Petronas twin towers in Malaysia that were once the tallest in the world, expressed excitement at the opportunity to design a house of worship at Xavier. “The idea of constructing a building with spiritual purposes is extremely attractive to me,” said Pelli, who himself grew up in a Catholic family. “This building will embody Drexel’s traits of modesty, simplicity and spirituality. It will make you feel totally uplifted.” Those wishing to make donations towards construction of the pharmacy expansion or the new Chapel should call XU Institutional Advancement at 504-520-7575 or visit the website at www.xula.edu. More information will be mailed to all alumni directly in the coming months. XG
A CAMPUS ALIVE While the Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion construction and plans for the new StKD Chapel have garnered much attention, there are numerous other campus improvement projects either currently underway or close to fruition. Here is a short list: Completed Projects: •
Electrical Upgrades/Lighting Retrofit
•
Science Building (1st Floor Classroom Renovations)
Ongoing Projects: •
Art Village Renovations (Renovation of existing buildings + recently acquired former nightclub.)
•
New Surface Parking Lot (4700 Howard Avenue, near I-10 Expressway)
Anticipated Projects:
XG Spring 2010
14
President Norman C. Francis and Cesar Pelli (seated) review plans for the new campus chapel with Pelli associate Mitchell Hirsch.
•
Campus-wide Electrical Upgrade
•
Central Plant Infrastructural Upgrade
•
Convocation Academic Center
•
Replacement of Old Student Center