Wartburg renames residence hall complex to affirm shared commitment to diversity
Waverly, IA (06/17/2022) — A residence hall complex on the Wartburg College campus will open under a new name when students return this fall.
Centennial Complex, comprising Centennial, Vollmer and Hebron halls, is being renamed the Ubuntu Center to affirm the college's shared commitment to diversity. Ubuntu is an African philosophy often translated to "I am, because we are."
"And 'we' are what makes Wartburg: students, faculty and staff coming together from all walks of life to cultivate a sense of community that is rooted in kindness and respect," said Krystal Madlock, director of multicultural student services and a member of the naming committee.
The word also has a deep meaning in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which used Ubuntu as the theme of its Youth Gathering in 2000. The event draws more than 40,000 youth between the ages of 14 and 17. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the keynote speaker at the event.
In addition to renaming Centennial Complex, the college also will rename Centennial Hall in honor of Harry and Polly Slife. Prior to their deaths in 1994, the Slifes were advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the Cedar Valley and on the Wartburg campus. Vollmer and Hebron halls will maintain their names.
"Harry and Polly were beloved members of the Wartburg community as well as of the wider Cedar Valley. Modeling the radical hospitality we aspire to offer, they constantly found ways to support and celebrate the diverse people they embraced as neighbors," said Darrel Colson, president. "It seems fitting that Slife Hall would be part of the Ubuntu Center."
The college started the process of discerning a new name for the complex in June 2021 when Jack and Sarah Salzwedel made a commitment to an $11 million transformation of Centennial and Vollmer halls. Their $2 million gift came with one request: The college should explore how the newly renovated residence halls could help students, faculty and staff live into, celebrate and highlight a commitment to diversity that is a hallmark of the new strategic plan.
A naming committee made up of faculty, staff and students worked with the Salzwedels and talked with numerous campus and community constituents before presenting the Board of Regents with a resolution recommending the complex be named Ubuntu Center.
"We're grateful to Krystal Madlock and the naming committee for their efforts in finding a great new name. The name Ubuntu signals an acceleration of thought - that through the associated programming we will see broader discussion and meaningful action across all other residence halls and areas of campus," said Jack Salzwedel. "The essence of Ubuntu is, in many ways, a perfect match to the values that Wartburg lives and the mission the college drives."
Sarah Salzwedel is one of the Slifes' four children.
"My parents would never have thought their accomplishments were worthy of seeing their name on a building at Wartburg. They would be very moved by the gesture, and because of how they lived their lives, to have their name associated with Ubuntu seems natural," Sarah Salzwedel said.
Though the core of this philosophy has been part of the Wartburg tradition for generations, the college's Residential Life and Student Life teams are planning new ways to foster the Ubuntu philosophy in the complex and across campus.
"Renaming Centennial Complex the Ubuntu Center is just one step in becoming more intentional about the culture at Wartburg. Now the real work begins as we continue to develop and execute plans that will help us live into the ubuntu philosophy," said Cassie Hales, director of residential life. "No matter where you live or work on campus, the idea of living within the Wartburg community is becoming more important. We are excited to take these next steps that will celebrate the ways we are all connected to one another."
Wartburg College
Emily Christensen, 319-352-8347, emily.christensen@wartburg.eduShare this Story
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