Page 10 - The Paduan Spring 2022

School NEWS (Cont.)
Padua’s 60th Building Renovations: The Welcome Home Project
A beautiful tradition greets your arrival in Assisi, Italy. Regardless of who you are, or where you are from, you will be met with the comforting statement, “Welcome home.” It is a phrase that is deeply rooted in the Franciscan charisms of hospitality and care for others. “There is a sense of belonging and a comfort that comes with knowing you have returned to a loving and safe environment,” said President David Stec ’86. “This is the experience we want for our community at Padua. A place that celebrates our faith and the hospitality that is core to our Franciscan experience,” he continued.
That same beautiful tradition is an integral part of Padua. On their first day of school, our freshmen class is greeted with the words, “Welcome home,” and any time an alum returns to the school, faculty and staff embrace them with the same phrase. “We want our school to be a second home for our students and a place that people always feel at peace and welcomed,” Stec said.
While he was growing up, Stec’s mom and dad, like many others, worked hard to make their home a place of welcome. His dad always kept the yard trimmed and well- manicured and his mother always made sure their house was clean and decorated for each season. It is that same vision that he now imagines for Padua.
It is no wonder that one of the first initiatives for President Stec was called the Welcome Home Project. With the recent completion of the waterproofing of the front of the building, the dug-up ground created the perfect canvas and opportunity to re-envision the entire landscape of the front of the building. After sharing the vision with a few long-time friends of Padua, President Stec received a generous initial gift to begin the work. Then, in the fall of 2021, when the vision was shared at the President’s Reception, it didn’t take long for others to partner and help fund this important and meaningful project. “Safety, faith, and beauty were key to the design. We have re-envisioned the entire experience of entering Padua. From the moment you drive in, and as you enter into the school, we have created an entirely new welcoming experience,” Stec stated.
The Welcome Home Project responded to multiple areas of need, and included a state-of- the-art innovation to enhance the school. The biggest area of concern was the safety of the community when driving to the entrance and walking into the building. A brand- new sidewalk was installed across the entire front of the building, which was fully funded by members of the Class of 1965. Also, bright LED lights were added to the walkways and on top of the building for nighttime security. Additionally, planter box bollards on each side of the main doors were added this spring to beautify and protect the entrance. Most importantly, to help make all people feel welcome, a new accessibility ramp was added and automatic doors are now scheduled for installation in the main lobby. This was made possible by Joseph Myers ’99 and Michael ’83 and Jayna Koler.
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