It’s Open!
OWU students, faculty and staff members, alumni, and friends gathered together on Saturday for the dedication of the Meek Aquatics and Recreation Center—Ohio Wesleyan’s first “green” building and brand new facility in more than 20 years. (Photo by Sara Tincher)
“Ripples in the pool will spread far and wide.” – Belinda (Binney) Brown Fouts ’73
The dedication of Ohio Wesleyan’s Meek Aquatics and Recreation Facility on November 6, was especially significant to first-year student and swimmer Matt Skowronski. As a prospective student, he was looking for “the best of both worlds”—a liberal arts university that would challenge him academically and also offer a nice athletic facility for competitive swimming. The sprinter from Strongsville, Ohio is intending to double major in pre-dentistry and economics management and is a member of OWU’s men’s varsity swimming team. And he is very thankful for the university’s new race quality ten-lane swimming pool and impressive facility made possible by the generosity of several Ohio Wesleyan alumni.
“Today we mark the opening of a grand facility,” said OWU President Rock Jones at the Meek Center dedication festivities on Saturday morning. The bleachers facing the pool were filled to capacity by members of the OWU community and alumni who gathered to tour the university’s first “green” building, which uses 90 geothermal wells for heating and cooling. As Jones and Charlie Powell, vice president for university relations introduced each of the program participants who have played important roles in the development and creation of the Meek Center, and future connector, the Arthur A. Belt Memorial Walkway (the BELTway), one realization surfaced: Ohio Wesleyan has many friends who care deeply about OWU and each other.
Read more information about OWU’s Meek Aquatics and Recreation Center.
OWU students, faculty and staff members, alumni, and friends gathered together on Saturday for the dedication of the Meek Aquatics and Recreation Center—Ohio Wesleyan’s first “green” building and brand new facility in more than 20 years. (Photo by Sara Tincher)Charlie Powell, vice president for university relations welcomed everyone, touching upon the importance of alumni engagement, care, and support that made the Meek Center a reality. (Photo by Sara Tincher)Belinda “Binney” Brown Fouts ’73 spoke of the Meek Center and BELTway as representing “a major step forward in [OWU’s] strategic plan.” (Photo by Sara Tincher)OWU President Rock Jones: “The new facility we dedicate today fulfills every aspect of our University’s mission.” Jones especially thanked Meek Center donors Phil ’59 and Nancy LaPorte Meek ’59, as well as George ’61 and Patsy Belt Conrades ’63, Adrian Corbiere, whose son Payson was a member of the OWU swim team, and for whom the lobby of the Meek Center is named in remembrance. (Photo by Sara Tincher)OWU’s swim and diving coach Dick Hawes is pictured here with OWU Trustee Adrian Corbiere, as memories of son Payson were shared with everyone. (Photo by Sara Tincher)Nancy LaPorte Meek ’59 recalled her 50th OWU class reunion, as she and Patsy Belt Conrades ’63 flipped the switch that turned on the power for the geothermal wells. “Dream dreams and expect miracles!” (Photo by Sara Tincher)“We are thrilled to be part of today’s dedication of the Meek Aquatics and Recreation Center, the BELTway, and the Corbiere Lobby,” said George Conrades ’61 “And it is really a neat thing to do this [project] with our friends of more than 50 years. That makes it a richer experience.” (Photo by Sara Tincher)Student leaders Kyle Herman ’11 and Holly Gilbert ’12 talked about the wonderful opportunities this state-of-the-art facility has brought to OWU, and how much the students appreciate the generosity of OWU family members. (Photo by Sara Tincher)