Christian Union: The Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 6

A Grand, Glorious Opening
Christian Union Dedicates Robert L. Melrose Center
by catherine elvy , staff writer
C
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lead benefactor behind the 4,100-square-
hristian Union marked the
ulty. In 1959, the Orlando native and his
foot center, which now bears the name of
much-anticipated opening of
wife, Jamie, died together in an electrical
his cherished late brother.
the Robert L. Melrose Center
accident in Gainesville, Florida.
“We are so thankful to Ken,” said Ben-
for Christian Leadership with a jubilant
Ken Melrose’s support for a welcoming
nett, after helping Melrose maneuver a pair
but touching celebration.
ministry center near the heart of Princeton’s
of 3-foot scissors to slice an orange ribbon
On June 2, representatives and sup-
campus dovetailed with his desire to hon-
across the facility’s porch.
porters of Christian Union attended a
or his extraordinary older brother and with
As for the building’s namesake, Robert
ribbon-cutting ceremony for the commis-
his passion for sharing the concept of
sioning of the Melrose Center,
which is adjacent to Princeton
University.
“This is a really, really won-
derful day,” Christian Union
Founder and CEO Matt Ben-
nett told a crowd on the lawn
of 19 Vandeventer Avenue.
“This center is going to do so
much for the purposes of Jesus
Christ…Our hope and desire
is to see so many Christian
leaders come out of this uni-
versity.”
During the dedication,
which coincided with Princeton
Reunions, Bennett highlighted
the university’s remarkable leg-
acy for producing scores of lead-
The Robert L. Melrose Center for Christian Leadership was dedicated on June 2, 2017. Front row (left
ers on both the national and
to right): Ken Melrose, Matt Bennett, and Kaye O’Leary; back row: James Fields, Lorri Bentch, Rolland
international stages, including
Daniels, Lisa Jeffrey, and Carol Fausnaught. Photo credit: David Navadeh
U.S. Supreme Court justices,
heads of state, and titans of in-
Melrose was a committed Christian, his-
dustry. In October, Christian Union pur-
Christian leadership with future profes-
tory major, and Princeton alumnus of
chased the nearly $2 million structure to
sionals.
1954. The member of Dial Lodge also
provide an enhanced home base for the
The former chief executive officer of
participated in varsity track, the Ameri-
flourishing ministry at Princeton.
The Toro Company documented much of
can Whig-Cliosophic Society, and the
“We, by God’s grace, are trusting that
his faith-based corporate journey in Mak-
Student Christian Association.
this center will rapidly accelerate ministry
ing the Grass Greener on Your Side: A CEO’s
After graduation, Robert Melrose served
on campus,” said Bennett, Cornell ’88,
Journey to Leading by Serving.
in the U.S. Navy and subsequently entered
MBA ’89.
During a celebration dinner for the
graduate school at the University of Florida,
Bennett also paused to express pro-
ministry center on June 1, Ken Melrose
where he also became an assistant professor.
found gratitude to retired executive Ken
recalled both his personal commitment to
Melrose’s goal was to join Princeton’s fac-
Melrose, Princeton ’62, for his role as the
reflecting Christian principles in industry