Emmanuel Gathers for a Blessing of the Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center
September 03, 2009
On September 2nd, the first day of classes, the Emmanuel community gathered for a blessing of the new Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center. The blessing brought students, faculty and staff together to celebrate the new building and reflect on its significance within the College's campus.
In the opening remarks of the ceremony, College President Sister Janet Eisner, SND reflected on the history of the College's campus, dating back to 1912, when the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur purchased the land, and 1914, when they called upon Charles Donagh Maginnis—considered the father of American Gothic architecture—to design the Administration Building. She called attention to how the architects of the Wilkens Science Center, Goody Clancy, emphasized the grand scale of the College's historic building and signature characteristics of the Jean Yawkey Center in their design. The new Wilkens Science Center also highlights Emmanuel's unique location in the city of Boston.
"You will note the respect that they had for the architecture of our original building and for this prized location," she said. "The front of the building has more brick, which matches that of the Administration Building. Our architects took care to position this new building so that we could see readily the Emerald Necklace and the skyline of Boston. You will also notice in the atriums that we retained the original arches that once marked the end of the Administration Building. Also, this new building of glass, like the Yawkey Center, finds the reflected image of the Administration Building."
Emmanuel College Treasurer Sister Anne Donovan, SND, Vice President of Academic Affairs Frank Scully and students Jonathan Ahearn '11 and Vanessa Jean '11 also shared prayer and reflection in celebration of the Wilkens Science Center's opening. The service concluded with a final blessing of the building, offered by College Chaplain Fr. Stephen Boyle, along with a ceremonial ribbon cutting honoring the opening of the new Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center.
