Supporters contemplate the spiritual needs of the campus community
Attendees celebrated the moment and applauded as campus leaders provided remarks and conducted the opening ceremony for the CMU Center for Reflection. A number of project supporters expressed their hearts were full after the official commemoration of the contemplative facility on campus built to address the spiritual needs of students, faculty and staff.
“Today my heart is full and I feel nothing but joy thinking this day has been in the making for many years,” said original project supporter Pat Bishop. “I know students are already using the Center for Reflection, and that fact goes to show there was and is a need for such a facility.”
Colorado Mesa University students, trustees and staff joined community leaders commemorating the Center for Reflection, a nondenominational, interfaith sanctuary that is now open for use. Around 75 supporters gathered outside the structure during the opening and admired the unique architecture of the sanctuary.
Originally discussed almost two decades ago, the building was designed with meditative reflection in mind. The Center for Reflection sanctuary seats around 40 people. The floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows in the front of the room provide unique light spectrum that will illuminate the space while a water feature in the back of the sanctuary provides serene, ambient companionship to those using the sanctuary for solitary reflection, prayer or meditation.
“The CMU Center for Reflection is officially open and available, and is a testament to Pat Bishop and her commitment over the last two decades seeing this project through,” said CMU President Tim Foster. “Many others in the community also made significant contributions to the project and their commitment to supporting the spiritual needs of students will benefit the future in ways that are essential and immeasurable.”
Bishop was on hand to speak at the event and was joined by the Center for Reflection project advisory committee co-chairs Robert Bray and Craig Springer and also CMU Board of Trustee members including Lori Buck, Amy Lentz and Trustee Board Chair Ray Anilionis to the opening.
In 2019 the project architects join President Foster in hosting a student workshop that included leaders from Associated Student Government, various student clubs and organizations and faculty advisors. After input was acquired, construction began in 2020. While many projects on campuses around the nation were put on hold as a result of challenging times during 2020, CMU continued forward with the project.
"The global pandemic proved perhaps more than ever that the time for the Center for Reflection had come," said Bray. "For those who want to support the spiritual needs to students in the decades and generations to come, we encourage them to do so by investing in the Center for Reflection."
Individuals or organizations interested in supporting the Center for Reflection should contact the CMU Foundation.
