Fahy Commons Campus-Only Celebration on January 31
Students, faculty and staff will gather to kick off the opening of Muhlenberg's newest academic building, one of the most ambitious sustainable building projects in the world.Tuesday, January 17, 2023 09:43 AM
The College community will celebrate the opening of The Fahy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation, a trail-blazing 20,000-square-foot, three-floor building featuring student programming and academic spaces.
“2023 will be a historic year for the College,” says President Kathleen Harring. “Along with celebrating the 175th anniversary of our founding and Muhlenberg’s many strengths today, we are moving toward a bright future. The Fahy Commons demonstrates the innovative thinking that is driving us forward, serving as a model of sustainability and facilitating engagement and collaboration among faculty, staff, students, alumni and our local and global community.”
The campus open house and celebration will be held on Tuesday, January 31 from 4–7 p.m. Activities include:
- Tour the Fahy Commons, on the hillside between Chew Street and Parkway Boulevard, and learn about the new spaces and sustainability features at nine information stations.
- Check out the new homes for the Schools of Graduate & Continuing Studies, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program, Muhlenberg Institute of Public Opinion, Office of Community Engagement and Religious & Spiritual Life as well as new student art studio and classroom spaces.
- Learn about this remarkable structure. One of the first 20 building projects of its kind worldwide, Fahy Commons uses 70 percent less energy than a typical structure and features bird-protective windows. Water usage is cut in half, and electric vehicle charging stations and covered bike storage support low-impact transportation. Outdoor classroom and event spaces feature native meadows, rain gardens and a panoramic view of Cedar Beach Park and Lake Muhlenberg.
- Refreshments and giveaways!
Muhlenberg broke ground on the Fahy Commons site in May 2021 — the first new building on the College’s campus in 16 years. A key priority of the Boundless campaign, this innovative building was made possible thanks to a gift from Gerald P. Fahy ’79 and Cathleen A. Fahy, the largest personal gift in Muhlenberg College history.
A larger public celebration is planned for April 2023, and details will be announced during the Spring 2023 semester.
