Story by Ammie Bryant
When school returns to session this month, the Wesley Foundation will welcome students to a brand new state of the art home at the corner of University and Washington, on “The Strip.” The new three story facility offers a welcoming atmosphere which is important to a United Methodist campus ministry grounded in the belief that “all are welcome at the table.” According to the ministry’s website, this “community includes undergraduate and graduate students, as well as their spouses and children. Some grew up in the United Methodist Church, while others are Baptist, Catholic, non-religious, or spiritual. At the heart of the mission of The Wesley is an understanding that students from all walks of life are invited to be at home.”
The building’s three floors were designed to facilitate and accommodate this mission.
The first floor is a public space that includes a coffee shop, ministry offices, conference room, commercial kitchen, and gathering spaces including dining and recreation areas. The second floor houses a beautiful event space for worship services and meetings. The space will hold up to 295 people and the new Wesley Foundation Director James Hunt has many plans for how to use this space beyond worship services. ““I’ve already reached out to the Poli-sci department at OSU about holding a public panel discussion on the place of religion in politics.” said Hunt. This space and other multi-purpose rooms will also be available for rent.
Last spring, the Wesley Foundation at Oklahoma State University opened up applications for OSU students to live together at “Common Life, an intentional community in the organization’s new, state of the art facility.” The third floor will provide residential spaces for students at a cost of $6,300 per year, August through May. Each suite has two private bedrooms, one shared bathroom, kitchenette, and living space. Connections for cable TV, wifi, and all utilities are included. Common Life is coed and all residents will share a common kitchen, dining and gathering area, laundry room, and study space. Common Life is divided into 12 units which each share a common suite with a same-sex resident. “We plan to have the residents work together to create a covenant governing expectations for this community,” said Hunt.
Students, alumni, faculty, parents, and the community are invited to attend the grand opening of the Wesley Foundation at OSU on Sept. 8, at 4 p.m. Visit okstatewesley.org for more information.
