September 1, 2015 // Local

Exciting turnout for residence hall blessing ceremony

Todays Catholic

DONALDSON — Rain did not turn away a group of nearly 200 gathered on County Road 9B for the new residence hall open house at Ancilla College Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Dignitaries mingled with students, faculty, staff and members of Ancilla’s board of trustees and offered support for the private, two-year college.

Sister Judith Diltz, of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, was one of the first to offer words at the event. “Today we celebrate new doors opening. Doors for 100-plus students whose minds will expand with new information, whose hearts will grow in the relationships created on our intergenerational campus, whose values will be informed in our Christian climate, and whose lives will change.”

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades blessed the facility. After speaking, Bishop Rhoades walked through the building blessing rooms while guests were encouraged to peruse the floors of the recently occupied structure.

The hall, now booked to capacity, will become home to more than 100 new freshmen, many of whom come from farther than the school’s traditional commuter range.

The three-story hall was designed and constructed by Michael Kinder and Sons, Inc., of Fort Wayne.

Ancilla College President Ken Zirkle said, “This hall is changing the face of Ancilla College and, therefore, changes the Marshall County community. Great things are happening at Ancilla College and we hope to bring the entire area along with us.”

Ancilla College (www.ancilla.edu), part of The Center at Donaldson, offers 18 associate degrees and 14 athletic programs. Since 1937, the college has been a sponsored ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. It is a small, private, liberal arts school in Donaldson, Indiana, located two miles south of U.S. 30 on Union Road near Plymouth.