“Glory to God in the highest!” This chorus from Handel’s Messiah played over and over in my mind as the crowd gathered for the dedication of our new residence hall this past Saturday. From my collegiate choir days, Handel’s great work has always been a personal favorite. I stood in front of Glory Residence Hall and found myself overflowing with gratitude for God’s abundant glory.

For the past year and a half, we have been watching our new residence hall emerge from the hallowed grounds of the Davis & Elkins College campus. The 38,000 square foot four-story structure of brick and stone stands majestically on the hilltop behind Gribble Hall and overlooks the Myles Plaza while offering a breathtaking view upon the grandeur of our mountains. Glory is so much more than bedrooms and common space. It is to be “home” for 100 D&E freshmen who have come to this campus with high expectations for the transformative education that is the hallmark of Davis & Elkins College.

As it was Homecoming weekend, we had many members of the class of ’74 back on campus celebrating their 50-year reunion. When these alumni were freshmen in 1970, we dedicated the last residence hall to be built on campus. 54 years have passed since we have cut a residence hall ribbon. As the scissors closed on the ribbon this Saturday, the decades that have passed, the commitment and sacrifice of donors, and the planning and construction of this beautiful structure all combined to make the dedication glorious and sacred.

Glory Residence Hall is a state-of-the-art facility designed to promote community, provide all the modern amenities and comforts, and enhance the collegiate experience for its residents. The $25 million capital campaign entitled Creating Home: It Takes a Village was launched in 2022. The first $18 million of this campaign has paid for the construction of Glory Residence Hall. We cut the ribbon on a debt-free facility this past Saturday! As the remaining dollars are raised for the Creating Home campaign, they will be used for the upcoming renovations of Roxanna Booth and Gribble Residence Halls. Upon completion in 2026, the three halls will make up the new Freshman Village at Davis & Elkins College.

Among the hundreds of financial gifts that made this new residence hall reality, five lead gifts propelled the campaign. I offer heartfelt thanks for these, and all the gifts given to date, with special recognition to Jim McDonnell, Kathy Ramsdell, Doug and Gay Lane, Joyce Allen, and June Myles. This gratitude is offered on behalf of each young man and young woman who will call Glory their home over the years.

Celebrating her 50th class reunion, Kathy Ramsdell, who had the naming rights for the building, addressed the crowd gathered for the dedication. While a student at D&E Kathy experienced a personal tragedy in her life. Throughout that time, an ever-deepening faith and personal relationship with Christ sustained and guided her. Her decision to name the new facility Glory Residence Hall was done with the hope and prayer that all students living in the facility would experience God’s glory and blessings within their lives.

As I crossed the threshold of our newest residence hall this past Saturday, the blessings were overflowing. Glory to God!

The journey continues….


Chris Wood
President
Davis & Elkins College