Jamestown (Chamber) – The University of Jamestown celebrated a major milestone with the ribbon cutting of the renovated Voorhees Chapel and the newly constructed Reuben and Clarice Liechty Center for Faith and Life. Students, faculty, alumni, and community members gathered alongside the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and staff to mark the occasion.

The project, one of the most transformational in the university’s history, was made possible in part by a $15 million gift from Jim and Candy Unruh—the largest single donation ever received by the institution. Their support established the Unruh School of Character in Leadership, located beneath Voorhees Chapel, and helped connect the chapel to the Badal Nafus Center through a modern addition.

The Reuben and Clarice Liechty Center for Faith and Life now serves as a hub for campus life. It includes The Well Coffee Bar, expanded seating areas, and direct access to the dining facility. The lower level features offices, a classroom, meeting rooms, and a student lounge within the Unruh School of Character in Leadership, all designed to strengthen the university’s mission of developing character and leadership.

Voorhees Chapel, a historic landmark on campus, has been carefully preserved through the renovation. Its original stained glass remains, while the sanctuary has been updated to better serve today’s students and community. Adjacent to the chapel, the new Garden Terrace offers stadium seating, academic space, and gathering areas, creating a student union-style environment that will support both learning and fellowship.

The University of Jamestown’s vision for character-driven education is now reflected in every part of this transformational project, blending tradition with innovation at the heart of campus life.

For more information about ribbon cuttings or the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, contact Emily Bivens at director@jamestownchamber.com or (701) 252-4830.