The shocking news that the beloved Founders Hall Ekklesia will be moving to Carter hit campus this past Friday. With almost nobody knowing the news prior to the email, the rumors and conversations seem endless. This article will hopefully provide a helpful perspective and cut through some of the white noise.
Ekklesia Hall via Instagram
The conversation to move Ekklesia began to solve the need for more available beds for incoming students. When Ekklesia moves to Carter, they will add roughly 13 new beds to their hall. Third Belz Tower will then be vacant, and a boys’ hall from Founders will move to Third Belz, adding 6 beds to their count. This will leave that boys’ hall empty which will be filled with a new girls hall. This in total adds 19 beds for men and 18 new beds for women. This is opposed to the alternative, which is opening a new hall on 2nd North – only adding beds for men. As the numbers on campus rise, the need for new space is ever prevalent. This campus is growing, and we need new halls for both men and women.
Students have differing opinions on the move. Cate Rowan ’27, a resident of Ekklesia's sister hall, Jungle, said, “I am really sad! We will lose many fun traditions.” However, she has hope. “I also think there is real potential for bridges to be built between Founders and Carter.” Tomo Gilchrest, a sophomore on Borderlands, agrees. “I’m excited! I think that Ekklesia is filled with some righteous dudes and it will be good for Carter to see that Founders has some great people.” Mac Messer ’27, an Ekklesia member, says, “It is definitely an intimidating move, but I am excited and honored at the opportunity to move and keep building culture.” Perhaps the most profound worry comes from Matthew Fleetham ’27, another Ekklesia member, when he says, “My main concern is whether we get to keep our community bathrooms.”
While we have no idea how the halls will mesh, we know that this kind of move has worked for the Covenant Community in the past. Let me remind you that Borderlands used to be a Founders hall and is now a staple in Carter. While this does not automatically mean that the current move will work, it does provide hope for this new endeavor.
While this new move is not everyone's ideal, the growth at Covenant makes it necessary for the numbers. Furthermore, this move exemplifies what I find so compelling about the Covenant community. It does not matter who you are or where you come from; you can find a place at Covenant. I trust that as young adults in Christ, we will find a way to live together and build something new and beautiful. Yet we know that this does not happen naturally. So I turn to the reader and ask: how can we make this move not only work but flourish? We welcome any and all ideas!
Thumbnail photo of Ekklesia Hall via Instagram.