The Newman Center is undertaking an exciting building project to provide student ministry with a permanent home.  The university intends to use our current location in Elmwood Commons for office space while Dempsey Hall is renovated. Newman Ministry can stay at Elmwood for the remainder of the school year. A new location will be needed by mid 2008.

Why do we need a Newman Center in Oshkosh?

The Catholic Church needs a presence on campus to be a witness of faith within higher education. Students face many challenges to their faith at the University level, and we must be there to help nourish their faith at this critical time. Most of the ministry consists of being present and available to students. The Newman Center is a place for students to drop in during the day to study or to pray in the chapel between classes and to gather for small faith sharing groups or discussions about the Catholic faith. For reasons of safety and transportation, many students, especially underclassmen, need the Newman Center be close to their dorms and classes. The college years are a unique time of growth and challenge - this is a stage of life that calls the church to reach out in a special way.

What happened to the old Newman Center?

The Newman Center on Irving Avenue was built in the mid-60’s as an ecumenical center to house campus ministries of different denominations. Nearly forty years later, the building had become very expensive to operate and maintain, with a long list of costly repairs and rising energy costs (i.e., heating costs of $8000 per month). The university’s interest in acquiring the site became an opportune time for a transition. The more efficient space afforded by a new building better provides for the changing needs for worship space, programming and social activities.

How will the building be paid for?

The diocese made the initial investment in the Newman Center physical plant by building the Irving Avenue structure and continues to support the Newman Center by generously funding its programs through the Bishop’s Appeal. The entirety of the proceeds from the sale of the Irving Avenue building will go towards the new building. The Newman Center purchased the site for the new building with $300,000 from the sale, leaving approximately $500,000. These remaining funds are invested and will be available for use in the project as soon as the Newman Center is ready to go forward with building. The $1 million balance of the projected building cost will come from fundraising efforts. 

What are the plans for the new building?

Plans for the building include a 150-seat chapel, a student lounge, a kitchenette, several multi-purpose meeting rooms and offices, as well as a small outdoor patio for informal gathering between classes. Energy conservation and environmental sustainability will be highlighted through extensive use of recycled materials, an advanced heat exchange system, stormwater capture and window features to reduce lighting costs. The new energy efficient facility will see many years of service.