By Bethany Flanagan
Managing Editor
MVNU’s Hunter Hall will have its grand opening today at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to visit the new facility. Photo by Bethany Flanagan.
The new MVNU nursing facility in downtown Mount Vernon will be initiated with a ribbon cutting and open house this evening at 6 p.m.
The event will be held during the downtown’s First Friday.
Hunter Hall is named in recognition of Richard and Theresa Hunter and of Maureen Hunter Buchwald, maternal grandparents and mother to Karen Buchwald Wright.
“We are very blessed to have the opportunity to move to the new building downtown,” said nursing professor Ashley Hanning.
“Our excellent facilities and high-tech resources will assist our students to become competent nursing professionals.”
The 32,000 square-foot building was a vision come true because of many generous supporters.
The multi-functional classrooms, state-of-the-art clinical laboratories with computer simulation models, exam simulation rooms, faculty offices, gathering rooms and student study lounges are located on the upper floors.
“I am looking forward to the new learning opportunities that I feel this building will provide for my education,” said junior nursing major Abbey Feltz.
“I wish that it was on (main) campus or closer to campus because it may prove to be a challenge when trying to get to classes on time. But I understand that when given the opportunity to grow and to provide the best education to the nursing students, our program leaders will make the most of it.”
The first floor features the Health Promotion Center. The center can hold nearly 200 people and can be
turned into three different classrooms because of large moveable dividing walls.
An executive meeting room is also incorporated into the design.
Baker Bros. café will be serving Starbucks coffee, sandwiches, salads and pastries. Available seating will provide a place for students to work on a project with a team or to read a book.
The café is named after the Baker brothers, who in 1884 owned the 205 South Main St. lot next to the Buchwald Center.
“I am so excited to be within the Mount Vernon community and represent the School of Nursing and Health Sciences,” said Hanning.
“I feel privileged to teach our students that are eager to serve others and glorify God in their nursing education experience.”
“I feel that this building will provide our new nursing program with a great chance to grow in technology, numbers, and into the future,” said Feltz.
MVNU administrators are hoping that Hunter Hall will not only accommodate the explosive growth of the University’s nursing program, but will also expand its program offerings to meet regional demands as identified by area health professionals.
Career prospects remain strong for nurses for many years.