The project includes renovations to the Helen Eakin Eisenhower Chapel as well as construction of the spiritual center addition that will be located between the existing chapel and Allen Road.

According to planners, the new facility shows the strong commitment of the University to acknowledging the importance of spiritual growth as part of a complete education in a manner that recognizes the spiritual and cultural diversity of its student body.

“Religion plays an important role in University life,” said Kenneth Clarke, director of the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs. “It provides opportunities for fellowship, educational programming, worship and exploration of cutting-edge social and cultural issues.”

Clarke said the new spiritual center is sending a strong message about how faith can be a part of intellectual life.

“I hope other public institutions will consider what we’ve attempted here and be encouraged to explore how campus spiritual centers can help their institutions and the nation face the challenge of educating good citizens and instilling character in students,” he said.

Construction is expected to begin in late spring on the spiritual center, which is named in honor of the late Frank and Sylvia Pasquerilla of Johnstown. The couple provided the leadership gift of $5 million for its construction.

In addition to the Pasquerilla gift, Joe and Sue Paterno have given $1 million, as have Bill and Joan Schreyer. The estimated $9 million expansion and renovation project will be supported solely by private funds, as was the original Eisenhower Chapel in 1956 and the first addition to the chapel in 1976. More than $8 million has been raised so far for the project.

The building, designed by James Oleg Kruhly and Associates of Philadelphia, emphasizes the experience of an inspiring volume of space and the importance of light.

The first floor features a two-story core worship area that can accommodate roughly 500 people, and three adjoining chambers with an additional 300 seats that can be opened to the main area or closed off as separate rooms.

The complex will include several other program rooms that can be used for prayer, worship or other functions; two kitchens, one of which will be kosher; administrative offices; and ample gathering space outside worship areas. An elevator will be added to provide alternate access to second-floor offices and to the basement-level Frizzell Room, and a new entry to the Frizzell Room will be created off the main lobby of the expanded building.

A unique feature of the complex will be a masonry light tower, signifying light as a common thread to many of the close to 40 religious groups registered on the campus. The tower will be at the center of an expanded courtyard, which will tie together the existing building and the addition. The finished project will more than double the space available to the groups.

Additional major gifts to help build the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center came from

Samuel G. and Marian Coppersmith Fredman, State College; the late Paul S. Hagan; Penn State HILLEL: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life; Ted H. and Tracy Winfree McCourtney, Katonah, N.Y.; James R. and Barbara R. Palmer, State College; The Rosenwald Foundation Inc., New York City; David C. and Susan L. Siphron, Santa Monica, Calif.; and James M. and Margaret V. Stine, Annapolis, MD.

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Contact: 
Mike Bezilla 814-863-4512 or mxb13@psu.edu
Laura Stocker 814-863-4512 or lstocker@psu.edu