Religion, community, unity and hope brought more than 200 people to the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center last night to hear Sue Paterno speak for grand opening celebrations.

The Spiritual Center has become a dream come true as a place where Islam, Christianity and Judaism can flourish, Paterno said.

"We have another dream which will make this a true spiritual center," she said. "We, at Penn State, can not change the world alone, but if we can develop a deep respect for each other's faiths then we can make a difference in the world."

Students should be proud that the spiritual center showcases many religious organizations, Paterno said.

"If we can cooperate to meet each other's needs, embrace our beliefs and accept our differences, then we can all help to build character," she said. "If we do not do it now, when will we do it? If we do not do it here, where will we do it?"

Davin Carr-Chellman, assistant director for the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs, is also proud of the center.

"This is a place of boldness and of beauty, the two are interdependent and also empty without one another," Carr-Chellman said. "This place teaches us every day."

His wife, Alison Carr-Chellman, said the benefits of the center can already be seen.

"As a person who was involved with the Catholic community, before the Spiritual Center was opened, I can really see a difference in the involvement," Alison Carr-Chellman said. "There is so much stuff going on here all of the time, and it is really fun to see all of the life here."

Among the meetings and parishioners, some students come to study, she said.

Nancy Rachlis (sophomore-environmental research management and biology) and Erin Lapham (sophomore-theatre) are two students who meet regularly to study in the Hillel room.

"We originally came to study tonight but then remembered that this speech was going on tonight," Rachlis said. "I do stop here at least every other day though, and it was interesting to hear what people who had a hand in building this had to say."

It was nice to see a lot of people there enjoying the building together, Rachlis said.

A silence soon fell over the audience with the beginning of the video presentation. It showcased the Spiritual Center's progress through construction and expressed the thoughts of religious leaders.

"It actually almost brought tears to my eyes," Lapham said. "It is so encouraging to see that we can all come to one place and become a community."

Sana Malik (senior-biobehaviorial health), who opened last night's ceremonies, said the Spiritual Center has become a place to worship in her Muslim beliefs.

"It was nice to be able to share with people our different faiths tonight, and still they can be able to share a common ground," Malik said. "Even though there are so many differences there can also be unity."

Even though each religion has different beliefs, they are all able to gather in the same building and find common ground, said Sharon Mortensen, director of the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs.

One commonality the building's architect found in each religion was light.

"Let this light represent to us the best that we can live in our daily lives," Mortensen said.