The brainchild of Dawayne Kirkman, former director of Student Affairs, and Scott Markland, Senior Vice President for Student Development, the Peace Place<\/a> was established in Fall 2019 as part of the remodeling of Building 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDawayne had the vision that there ought to be a place where people could just gather and it would be a place that would embody the commitment to inclusion and equity,\u201d Lindstrom said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think that everyone needs to take a mental break from time to time, and get grounded,\u201d Kylee Pauley, a student ambassador working at the Peace Place, said. \u201c…and I think this being a multifaith center gives us a lot of great opportunities. We also have a Catholic youth minister who comes in on Tuesdays and talks to students with any questions on their faith.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lindstrom cites the various kinds of visitors that found the Peace Place, including small study groups, entire classes, task forces and a local bible study group, though it still remains a mystery to some students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe see a lot of curiosity as people go up and down the hall, they look in and do a double-take and they say \u2018What is that?\u2019\u201d Lindstrom said. \u201cFrom what I\u2019ve seen, some folks will stop in and just kinda go \u2018Is this ok for me to be in\u2019 or \u2018What is this exactly?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The area is prime real estate for foot traffic, as it is nestled between the offices for veteran services, Appalachian Outreach, accessibility services<\/a> and the counseling office<\/a>. After two open houses held at the start of the past two semesters, Stanger anticipates awareness and turnout of the Peace Place to increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe response has been overwhelmingly great,\u201d Pauley said. \u201cA lot of people come in and automatically feel relaxed… it\u2019s also great that we\u2019re right by the counseling office, people are coming out of their counseling appointments or getting ready for it, and they need to chill out, they can come here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The message of the Peace Place is summed up by the sign on the door that greets visitors upon entry: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe welcome all sizes, all colors, all cultures, all sexes, all beliefs, all religions, all ages, all types and all people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nRelated Articles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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