At the beginning of this year, Admissions relocated to the former Wesley Seminary building, transforming the space into a welcome center for prospective students.
The admissions office previously worked out of the first floor of the Maxwell Center, where parking constraints, older offices and a lack of space for conversations created setbacks for the team.
“Maxwell was going to need some work, but to go to the next level was going to require a new space,” Roger Alcock, director of undergraduate admissions, said.
With this idea in mind, the search for space landed at the Wesley Seminary building. The building was focused on due to the underutilization of the space from the seminary’s progressive transition to an online program.
Aaron Gross, assistant professor of preaching and pastoral leadership, said, “We have one-week intensives in June and July for the master’s program. So, five classrooms were used one week, twice a year.”
While the space remained empty for most of the year, the staff and alumni still held memories there.
Gross said there is a sense of sadness to leave the memories of the building, but excitement that Wesley Seminary is continuing to expand into a building that fits their vision for the future. The IWU National and Global building was renovated to accommodate the seminary and keep them all in the same vicinity.
A month into the move, both parties are seeing the benefits of their new spaces.
“If you’re coming to campus, [the welcome center] is so much more visible, it’s easier for guests to find,” Alcock said.
In addition to the location advantage, the design and branding renovations created a clearer message for the visitors about IWU’s academic and spirituality.
“We’re leading with our mission and our legacy. It’s not a secondary thing. It’s the first thing people see when they come in.” said Jason Steiner, director of Branding & Creative.
Tammy Richards, administrative assistant of admissions, said that the new building has also created space for the students and counselors to have conversations with little distractions.
The former seminary building, once used only a few weeks of the year, is now the first stop for prospective students to experience IWU.
