Increasing the faith

More chapel expansion funds help provide better center for students

The All-Faith Chapel in Eisenhower Chapel seats fewer than 200 people, although more than 40,000 students attend the University.

This is one of the many reasons the interfaith spiritual center -- which will be an expansion of Eisenhower Chapel -- is needed and why donations for it are greatly appreciated.

Head football coach Joe Paterno and his wife Sue began the move for expansion when they donated $1 million to the project.

Now, an anonymous Pennsylvania resident has donated $5 million to the project and another $1 million donation may be acquired.

"From these actions it is clear that spiritual people on campus are looking for an outlet."

These donations are much welcomed and appreciated. Hopefully, the $1 million donation will be secured and perhaps even more money will follow because students' need and desire for the expansion is obvious in many ways.

The University has more than 30 registered religious and spiritual organizations on campus.

Members of several University religious organizations spent their spring breaks on beaches, in inner cities and in conferences, learning more about their religions and spreading their beliefs.

From these actions it is clear that spiritual people on campus are looking for an outlet. Director of the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs Kenneth Clarke said he is witnessing a faith resurgence and the larger chapel will help accommodate spiritual organizations that are too large to use the chapel. Often, he said, they are forced to meet in other buildings and rooms.

The new chapel will not only aid students with their spiritual needs, but also can serve as a learning tool at this University. Students of various religions may be able to learn about other religions to which they have never been exposed. The possibilities for learning are endless from the diverse pool of students with varying beliefs and backgrounds.

But to ensure that all students' beliefs are represented, students should be involved in the chapel's expansion. Leaders from various spiritual organizations and other students with opinions need to join together to express what they and the members of their groups want from the expansion.

Their suggestions may improve the chapel and add diversity and equal representation to all.

The Eisenhower Chapel expansion has great promise to provide for students spiritually and educationally. The needed expansion can be an important building on campus and important to you if you make it into what you want.