Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Hall dedication: from left, James Bump, Sharon Smith, Virginia Campana, Albert Novak and Aaron Slafka cut the ribbon.By Dylan Nice / Editor-in-chief

Faculty members, students and guests gathered Tuesday night for the Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Hall dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The dedication signals the official completion of the $1.6 million dollar facility that had been originally slated for completion in June.

Pitt-Greensburg President Sharon Smith thanked the formerly anonymous donor, Virginia Campana, sister of the late Mary Lou Campana, other donors, the contractors, architects, administrators and the stained-glass artist, Terry Bengel.

Virginia Campana wanted to remain the anonymous $1 million donor throughout the building’s planning and construction so as not to take any focus away from her sister, said Wendy Mackall, director of media relations and community affairs.

Smith said the construction wouldn’t have been possible without Campana and others’ contributions.

“This is our campus jewel,” Smith said. “I feel strongly the building will become the heart of the university.”

Smith said she was honored to dedicate the building in Mary Lou Campana’s honor. She said the facility would serve as a place of spiritual reflection and entertainment.

“Mary Lou Campana was a kind, loving champion of religious freedoms, life-long reader, and advocate to homeless animals,” Smith said.

It was Campana’s love of animals coupled with the campus fountain that served as Bengel’s inspiration for the chapel’s stained-glass work, “The Fountain of Life.”

Bengel was available after the dedication to field attendees’ questions about the artwork.

Albert Novak, Oakland’s vice chancellor for institutional advancement, followed Smith’s remarks. Novak said he hoped the facility would become as involved in the UPG community as the Heinz Memorial Chapel, which hosts regular religious services, weddings, musical events and lectures at the Oakland campus.

The blessing of the building was conducted by James Bump, pastor of the Holy Family Church in Greensburg.

Following his blessing, Bump, Smith, Campana, Novak and SGA President Aaron Slafka cut the blue and gold ribbon, officially dedicating the building.

The ceremony began with a performance by the UPG Chorale, which was followed by a welcome address by Slafka, who also delivered the closing remarks.

After the ceremony, Smith said she was especially pleased with the buildings acoustic qualities, as demonstrated by the chorale’s performance.

Amber McAlister, assistant professor of the history of art and architecture, also said she noticed the chapel’s acoustics and aesthetic qualities.

“When you walk by, you can recognize it has the architecture of a sacred place,” McAlister said. “All the other buildings on campus are so industrial, built with cinder blocks, so it’s nice to have this kind of building here.”