Campus Celebrates New Welcome Center
Alumni, faculty, staff, and community leaders joined together Friday at Missouri Valley College to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the college’s new Welcome Center.
The building, which sits at the campus’ front door, will now house the admissions and student success teams and will be the first stop for future students and their families. Just inside the front door, Missouri Valley College President Joe Parisi cut the ribbon along with Matt Huston, MVC chairman of the board, and about 200 guests.
“This Welcome Center helps us greet our visitors in the right fashion ,” said Parisi. “This building represents the focal point for our future. We’re making a warm statement about welcoming and embracing our guests. All are welcome here.”
The college’s board of trustees helped this vision become a reality by raising more than $250,000 to renovate and update the building, which also houses the Eckilson-Mabee Theatre, Stewart Chapel, and very soon, a new Viking apparel shop.
Walking into the front door of the Welcome Center, no one can miss the feature wall just to the right, where visitors see a new eye-catching “God, Family, Country” mural.
“God, Family, Country is very important to me,” Parisi said. “This college was founded by the Presbyterian Church, our chapel sits in this building, and so, so many kids from all faiths worship here.”
Parisi went on to talk about Missouri Valley’s rich military history with the Navy V-12 program, and strong connections to nearby military neighbors, such as the National Guard and Whiteman Air Force Base. A large Wall of Honor display on the outside of the Welcome Center is in the conceptual stage and will include recognition of each branch of service and pay tribute to veterans.
The element of family is a “strong component on our campus as well,” Parisi said. “Family spirit is really what we are all about. The relationships our faculty build with students, and the bonds the athletes have with their coaches…it’s what Missouri Valley is all about.”
Parisi said Missouri Valley is connected to thousands of veterans and of faith-filled alumni.
“This is a very inclusive community and learning environment,” he said. “We are going to embrace it.”