100 Years at the Heart of Our Campus
President Morris shares her reflections offered to the community of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and local residents who attended the tribute to the building that serves as the centerpiece of our campus–Gunnison Memorial Chapel.
I was excited to visit Gunnison Memorial Chapel when I first joined this community.
In particular, I wanted to see the stained-glass windows—and especially the ones in the back of the chapel that declare “Enter to learn, go forth to serve.” I continue to love the chapel’s windows and admire them whenever I am here. I also love the beautiful ceiling, and virtually everything else about this building that stands in the center of—and is the heart of— our campus.
What I didn’t know when I first entered the chapel was the love story that awaited me a month later when I took a behind-the-scenes tour of the chapel and climbed the ladder up to the bell tower.
The small space in the tower is dominated by the bells, which are large, powerful, and beautiful. Journalist Irving Bacheller, St. Lawrence Class of 1882, gifted the bells, known as the Bacheller Memorial Chime, to the University in 1926. And he used the bells to share his love and gratitude for his wife, Ann. The largest bell is inscribed: “To Ann Bacheller: Musician, Wife, Comrade. My love for her put a new song in my heart. Therefore, let the singing of these bells be the voice of my gratitude.”
What a lovely tribute to one’s partner. And what a fitting set of themes for us today as we celebrate the centennial of our chapel: Song. Love. And Gratitude.
Whenever I’ve been in this chapel, for whatever the occasion, there is always song, love, and gratitude in the air.
Together with other Laurentians, here in this space, I have experienced song, love, and gratitude in many different ways: As we have mourned the tragic passings of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends; As we have celebrated the new families created through marriage; As we have honored the academic successes of students; As we have recognized award winners of all varieties; As I have shared my thoughts annually with all reunion-goers; As we have had challenging conversations with others who care deeply;As we have participated in spiritual gatherings; As we have enjoyed performances by our various musical groups, including those performing tonight: the Gospel Choir and Gospel Band, the St. Lawrence Choral Society, our Laurentian Singers, our String Orchestra, the Singing Saints, the Singing Sinners, the Upbeats, SLUFunk, University Organist, Dr. Michelle Martin-Atwood, and student duo Arlo & Sylvie. And as we have listened intently to other speakers who have shared their stories, poems, readings, and commentary.
For all of these events, the themes of song, love, and gratitude always spill forth within this space. There is always music, the words spoken aloud always evoke love and gratitude. Just as Irving Bacheller wished. With every ringing of the bell, with every song in the sanctuary, the music binds us together with love and with gratitude for our fellow Laurentians. Here in this beautiful place, our 100-year-old chapel, this is how it goes.
Our Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Shaun Whitehead, always makes it so. This is a very important point. The place holds us, but the people within it create the community, create the music, encourage us to love one another, and foster the gratitude we have for one another. I’m so glad to be here, with all of you, to share in this very special celebration.
