GTU Receives $100,000 Gift to Create First-Ever "Class-eum"
BERKELEY, CA – November 6, 2023 – The Graduate Theological Union (GTU) is pleased to share that an anonymous donor has generously gifted $100,000 to the GTU to support ongoing improvements to the GTU’s flagship campus, the Hewlett Building. This significant contribution will facilitate the transformation of the space currently occupied by the President's office and alcove into a state-of-the-art, first-ever "class-eum."
A "class-eum" is a hybrid concept that fuses the traditional classroom with the enriching atmosphere of a museum. It is designed to serve as a unique environment for select classes to be held within the context of an art gallery, featuring custom-built display cases to house sacred world art. In this innovative space, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an enriching, multisensory learning experience.
This space will feature items from the Sacred World Art Collection, such as the Kwan Yin and Stage and the Misingi, Ancestral Spirit Figure. Work on this transformative multi-use space is expected to be completed by the summer of 2024 and will be celebrated with a grand opening.
"I am deeply grateful to our donor for their foresight in recognizing the enriching potential of a ‘class-eum’ at the GTU,” said Uriah Kim, GTU President. This project fills me with delight and pride, as we are now able to create a venue appropriate to showcase the Sacred World Art Collection in ‘Kahn's Temple,’ the Hewlett Building. The GTU’s forthcoming development of the ‘class-eum’ is a testament to our institution’s commitment to creating dynamic, transformative learning environments that inspire all who encounter them."
This new vision for what a learning space can look like aligns seamlessly with GTU's ongoing efforts to reimagine new ways and environments for learning in the 21st century. It is a crucial part of the revitalization of the Hewlett Building as part of the institution's 5-Year Strategic Plan, fostering innovation in the field of theological education.
Additional details about progress on the class-eum, as well as the re-opening details will be forthcoming.
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About the Graduate Theological Union
The Graduate Theological Union (GTU) is one of the world’s most comprehensive centers for religious education, and one of the largest and most diverse partnerships of seminaries and graduate schools in the United States.
More than a consortium and academy, the GTU is a dynamic laboratory that provides scholar-innovators with a staging ground to reimagine the future of interreligious life. An education with the GTU equips leaders to translate learning into action that will have tangible impact in the world.
Since its founding in 1962, the GTU has been at the forefront of interreligious education and dialogue. The work of our eminent alumni, students, and faculty across cultures, traditions, and technologies continues to create new pathways to a truly pluralistic future.
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