UJ Shares Plans for Student Union and Dining Hall
What makes a place special? Is it its physical location, its natural beauty, or its historical significance? Maybe it’s something deeper, something tied to the people, the memories, or the energy that lingers in its walls.
We’ve had many conversations about the fire over the past year. While it was a moment that shook us, it did not define us. In fact, it revealed that togetherness and community is deeply ingrained in our identity as a place.
Over the past 100 days, we’ve worked to rebuild, to reimagine, and to hold onto the dreams and goals that have always driven us forward. And now, as we approach commencement and reflect on what’s next, it’s important to pause and remember what made this place so special in the first place.
Badal Nafus wasn’t just a place—it was a space where lives intertwined. It was where Sofiya could find her faith and help others do the same, where students like Joseph, Daisy, and Margaux felt a sense of togetherness with their friends, coaches and faculty, and where Arin and Peyton could be involved in campus events and study sessions. It created conversation and laughter through the halls during meals and in passing to classes.
But when the fire happened, everything changed.
The space that had been so central to our lives was suddenly gone, leaving behind a void that was hard to fill. Students, faculty and staff found themselves scattered across campus, trying to recreate the sense of connection that Badal Nafus had always provided.
And yet, even during loss, something remarkable began to happen. Ideas started to form. Conversations turned toward the future. What if this fire presented an opportunity to create something even more extraordinary?
Fast forward to today, and that idea is finally taking shape.
Phase One: Already underway and scheduled completion by Fall 2025
Admissions Reimagined
The Admissions team will return to the second floor of the Badal Nafus Center, where their space is being carefully cleaned, rebuilt, and updated. A new staircase, prominently located for easy access, will ensure the area feels welcoming and accessible to prospective students and visitors.
A New Home for Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry is getting a brand-new look. The offices are being relocated, right by the dining room entry. The new lounge will be twice as large as the old one, offering a comfortable space for reflection, connection, and conversation.
A second conference room will provide even more opportunities for students to gather, whether for studies, leadership meetings, or moments of quiet prayer.
A Path of Connection
One of the most exciting additions is a new corridor connecting key areas of campus, including the Voorhees Chapel, the Liechty Center for Faith & Life, the Badal Nafus Center, and the Lyngstad Center. This corridor isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating a space that feels seamless, intentional, and deeply reflective of the University’s mission to blend faith, learning, and life.
Phase Two: Spring and Fall 2026
While the timeline for completion is still uncertain, one thing is clear: the new Student Union will be a space that inspires, nurtures, and connects. It’s a space that will remind us of what we’ve overcome, and of where we’re going next.
Emerging from the ashes, this transformation is guided by a powerful message of resilience. As Campus Ministry Director Kirstie Dobson so beautifully put it, “From the ashes of loss, we have emerged with renewed purpose and a space that reflects our mission to walk alongside students with compassion, courage, and hope.”
The words of Isaiah 43:19 have also served as a guiding light: “See, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
The new Student Union is that new thing—a space where students can grow, lead, and create memories that will last a lifetime. When you come back in the fall, we are excited for you to see it!
