The College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE), Morristown, N.J., welcomed 600 attendees during its Annunciation Center Opening and Open House event. This new building is the College’s first arts and education building since its establishment in 1899 and the first building to be constructed on campus in more than four decades.

After seven years of planning, $17 million dollars, and 16 months of construction, dreams do come true. The celebratory event, held outside the modern facility, welcomed: Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli of Paterson: who led the building cornerstone blessing; Bishop Emeritus of Paterson, Frank J. Rodimer, who blessed a framed College mission statement for the building; and Sister Maureen Shaughnessy, General Superior of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and Chair of the CSE Board of Trustees, who blessed a six foot diameter, Vermont granite replica of the College’s seal, which graces the grand entryway of the new center.

Following the brief blessing and prayer service was a short ribbon-cutting ceremony and then guests were welcomed inside for refreshments and to tour the new construction. The tour featured student musicians and artists practicing their art; the Gary Ross Jazz Trio; refreshments; as well as previewing the first art exhibition of CSE new Mahoney Gallery, “The Annunciation in Contemporary Art,” comprised of the work of 13 New Jersey artists.

The milestone event also featured mime entertainment amidst picturesque views and a lobby adorned with paintings, “Seasons of Learning,” commissioned by resident faculty member Sister Anne Haarer.

The CSE Annunciation Center features the Dolan Performance Hall, a 560 seat-theatre at the center; houses the CSE Holocaust Education Resource Center, Maloney Art Gallery, and faculty and staff offices for the College’s theology, philosophy, music, and art departments; is surrounded by art and music studios, “smart” classrooms with overhead audio-visual equipment and a laptop at the podium, and a computer lab. Annunciation Center will also be the home of the inaugural CSE doctoral program, the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, as well as host to performances, exhibits, and lectures for the public.

Here is the Annunciation Center Dedication and Open House slideshow.