As campus minister, Abbott Hugh was a strong advocate for finding a more suitable and central location for a University chapel, and he more than once suggested that the former “main reading room” in Lownik Hall would be ideal for the purpose. The building itself has a storied history. The groundbreaking for Lownik Hall took place on October 17, 1959, four months after Abbot Hugh took his monastic vows. Named in 1969 for Theodore Lownik, former Chair of the Board of Trustees, the building was intened to replace the library located in the basement of the former Benedictine Hall. After the library collections moved to Kindlon Hall in 2001, Lownik Hall housed various administrative offices.

At last, in 2024, Abbot Hugh’s dreams were realized with the relocation of St. Benedict Chapel and Campus Ministry to this building. To honor Abbot Hugh’s role and advocacy, David Rausch, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, commissioned a stoneware holy water font from Brother Kevin Coffey, OSB. A long time teacher of fine arts, Brother Kevin took his monastic vows before Abbot Hugh in 2001. He chose Scriptural themes of water and baptism, signifying life and renewal, for the font. The Noah figure depicted bears the face of Abbot Hugh, a permanent tribute to his vision and service.

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Students graduating from Bourgade Catholic High School, Notre Dame Preparatory, Saint Mary’s Catholic High School, Xavier College Preparatory, Seton Catholic Preparatory, and St. John Paul II Catholic High School who meet admission requirements will receive guaranteed acceptance to ����TV. The agreement includes a $2,000 annual Catholic High School Award renewable for four years, along with merit-based scholarships starting at $9,000 per year and additional awards based on academic performance.

����TV President Joseph J. Foy, PhD, emphasized the significance of this collaboration.

“����TV is proud to partner with the Diocese of Phoenix in this transformative initiative. Together, we’re advancing our shared mission to deliver exceptional Catholic education—making it more accessible, affordable, and values-driven,” said Dr. Foy.

“This partnership opens doors for students to excel academically while growing spiritually, preparing them to step confidently into futures of purpose and service with a Benedictine education that blends faith, reason, and scholarship.”

The comprehensive partnership includes multiple initiatives to support student success. BenU will host specialized campus visit programs and provide college preparation workshops to help students get a head start on their university education. The University will also work closely with Diocese educators to ensure a smooth transition for students moving from high school to higher education.

This program builds on BenU’s strong tradition of serving Catholic school graduates and reflects its commitment to making quality higher education more affordable. Families and students can learn more about program details and admission requirements by visiting ben.edu.

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The event started with a prayer service at St. Benedict Chapel in Lownik Hall. The service began with remarks from BenU President, Dr. Joseph Foy, PhD. Immediately after were the opening prayers from professors Jayashree Sarathy, PhD, and Bernarr Newman, MS.

The prayer service also included a history of the black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, readings from Dr. King’s work, a history of spirituals, and a performance from the Benedictine Concert Choir.

The keynote for the service was delivered by BenU Chief Diversity Officer, Julie Dockery, EdD, and the closing prayer was given by BenU Director of Campus Ministry, Carrie Ankeny, MA.

Following the prayer service at St. Benedict Chapel was an alumni keynote panel featuring Maurice Bell, ‘87; Ephriam Fitzgerald, ‘91, ‘10; and Marie Jenkins, ‘00, held on the 5th floor of Kindlon Hall.

The event was sponsored by the Office of Belonging and Inclusion and the Sister Judith Ann Heble Center, OSB Center of Benedictine Values.

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Dr. Kaur’s presentation, supported by the Center for Benedictine Values, will take place at Benedictine’s Goodwin Hall of Business, Room 321. It is open to the public and free to attend. It can also be seen via Zoom. Click here to register: 

Dr. Kaur’s lecture is inspired by her life-changing experience as a graduating senior at the University of Michigan when she was awarded $20,000 and a year to travel the world. The catch? She had to do it alone and without any trips back to the U.S. Traveling to 15 countries as a Bonderman Fellow, her perspective on what it means to be a Sikh and a citizen of the world were transformed forever.

In her Benedictine talk, she will share some key insights into the overlaps between global travel and the origins of Sikhi, how Sikhi and global citizenry offer solutions for our increasingly volatile times, and how balancing identity politics and a humanistic approach could lead to social justice.

In August 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker declared April as Illinois Sikh awareness and appreciation month. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, with more than 30 million Sikhs worldwide, 500,000 in the U.S. and 25,000 in Illinois.

For additional information, contact ����TV’s Dr. Manmohan Kaur at mkaur@ben.edu.

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