christian union universities
Renovations at the Pennington Center adjacent to Yale University enabled Christian Union to host welcoming
events for freshmen this fall.
20
major makeover just in time for Christian Union’s
critical campaign to welcome freshmen on campus
at the start of the academic year.
The basement transformation provided oppor-
tunities to host a greater variety of events to introduce
freshmen to the ministry. Whether cooking up pan-
cakes in the new kitchen after the weekly leadership
lecture series, Rooted, or bonding as a community
at an overnight prayer lock-in, these “events would
not have been able to happen without this space,”
said Chelsea Samora ’18, co-president of Christian
Union at Yale.
The response to the new space has been over-
whelmingly positive from freshmen and returning
students alike. Olivia Shoemaker ’21 said, “As a
first-year student at Yale, it’s absolutely wonderful
to know that there’s a place where I can find
like-minded people who are happy to chat and lis-
ten. The physical space centers on community ac-
tivity and always makes me feel at home.”
According to Samora, the space “instilled a great-
er spirit of hospitality in the ministry, which is cru-
cial for welcoming in the next class.”
Through a combination of the newly expanded
class of first years at Yale and all of the events made
possible through the new space, Christian Union
has seen an especially hearty level of interest from
the freshmen compared to years past.
Along with hosting community and outreach
events, the renovated Mouse is now able to serve as
a refreshing study space and a centralized meeting
location for all of the ministry’s Bible courses. Kovoor
noted that the bright and cozy space creates “an air
of informality,” which “helps conversations and
people to be really relaxed.” Yale’s underground Bass
Library previously served as a Bible course meeting
location. The bunker-like setting, Kovoor added,
discouraged students from opening up to one an-
other as they studied Scripture together.
When not at the Mouse for Bible courses, plen-
ty of students nest there during the day to get through
their never-ending piles of work or simply to take
a much-needed break. Shoemaker said, “I’m in the
Mouse whenever I have time to walk over! Wheth-
er I’m at a Bible study, impromptu study session, or
just looking for some quiet time, the Mouse is a
great place to hang out in community.”
The new Mouse provides a much-needed respite
from the pace of life on campus. Samora described
the space as “an oasis away from Yale.” Shoemaker
similarly noted how she loves “the separation between
the Mouse and campus culture at Yale.”
“As much as I love the Yale campus, the Mouse
offers a lovely respite from the fast-pace of college
life, and a space to re-center on what’s actually im-
portant,” she said.
And for that, the Christian Union community
at Yale is extremely grateful. | cu