This summer, when construction for the College of Saint Elizabeth’s (CSE), 2 Convent Road, Morristown, N.J., Annunciation Center is complete, CSE President Sr. Francis Raftery will not only take some personal satisfaction in the new building but will also thank donors for sharing with her the College’s vision of creating this fine liberal arts facility.

 

What began with a challenge gift of $1 million from the Dolan Family Foundation has now flourished into nearly $13 million raised by CSE faculty and employees, foundations and corporations, Sisters of Charity, trustees, and alums.

 

 

 

 Annunciation Center (Photo by Courtney Smolen)

 

“As I watch the walls turn open space to classrooms and studios, my heart fills with gratitude for all those who have made this happen,” said Sr. Francis. “Thank you all for being a part of our wonderful undertaking that helps us carry on the mission Mother Xavier gave us 108 years ago and thank you for all the ways you support the College of Saint Elizabeth.”

 

According to Project Manager Jim Gerrish, nearly 90 percent of the construction work for the $17 million project has been completed by general contractor Joseph A. Natoli Construction Company. Mr. Gerrish is very satisfied with the progress being made on the construction of the 44,000-square-foot facility, which, according to him, is both on budget and on schedule for occupancy this August.

 

Designed to be flexible and multi-purpose, the three-story facility will house a performance hall for musical and theatrical productions; an art gallery; acoustically tuned practice rooms for instrumental and vocal music; new classrooms; new art studios; and a high-tech computer lab for graphic arts, digital photography and music composition, outfitted with wireless technology running throughout the building and College campus. In addition, it will also house the College’s Center for Theological and Spiritual Development and Holocaust Education Resource Center. A new carillon will also add a beautiful dimension to the campus with hourly chimes and occasional music.

 

“The New Center will allow us to centralize our activities as never before,” explains Music Department Chair Dr. Teresa Walters. “We have always had much collaboration among the arts on campus, but these new spaces will enable us to reach new levels of teaching and learning. In this single location, we can teach more students more subjects using more varied approaches.”

 

The expanded space and equipment provided by the Annunciation Center is also welcomed by the CSE’s Art Department as it will provide more artistic and cultural opportunities for the students. “The art gallery will allow us to display the works of student and professional artists alike, and expand our program in museum studies and art history,” says Art Department Chair Dr. Virginia Fabbri Butera. “We will also have new studio space for painting, drawing and sculpture, a large-scale kiln for ceramics, and new print-making equipment. We’re also looking forward to working together on student theatre productions,” said Dr. Butera. “We’re seeking greater interaction and participation in programs that provide insight into culture and science through the visual arts.”

 

I can’t wait to see what the new studios will look like. It will be nice to have studios set up for specific classes all the time so you can work on certain medium any time you like ~ Abagail Eckert, ‘08, English with a concentration in Writing and Art

 

And with this greater interaction and participation, the College of Saint Elizabeth is looking forward to including the surrounding communities with a wide variety of arts events including literary performances, art exhibitions, visual, musical and theatrical productions.

 

“The arts are what lift people,” explains Jeanine Hirsch, vice president of Institutional Advancement at CSE. “The arts inspire and enliven. They touch our souls.”

 

With the expanded capabilities and opportunities it will bring to students and to the local community, the Annunciation Center is a visible and tangible sign of the College’s commitment to build a beautiful structure that embodies spiritual development along with the fine and performing arts as an integral piece of its educational mission, says Ms. Hirsch.

 

For more information or to view construction progress via webcam or photo album, please visit www.cse.edu/annunciationcenter/; more updates of the Center’s progress will be posted as they become available.