Moving Forward – 3901 South Wayne Ave

3901 S. Wayne

Your Alumni Center has officially opened the doors of our new ministry space at 3901 South Wayne Ave! The moving process was a lot of hard work, but our load was significantly lightened thanks to the volunteers who pitched in to help, and the many organizations who were able to accept and repurpose some of the items that we couldn’t take with us.

Some of the office furniture has found a new home at City Life, an organization that provides inner-city kids with tutoring and Christ-centered programming. Other pieces will be resold by Treasure House with the proceeds going toward Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, under the leadership of one of our alumni council members, Donovan Coley g85. “We never paid for these pieces in the first place,” said Director Michael Mortensen g91, “so for us to be able to give some of these things to other Christ-centered organizations, while still fulfilling our ministry and mission, brings great joy to my heart, and I hope that our alumni will celebrate with us.”

To prepare for the move, your Alumni Center gives thanks to Rich Schrock g90, who did plaster work, Deann Wise fs95, Stephanie (Cox g93), Matthew g97, and Zeb Demorest, who painted.

Our new space is smaller, but we kept a number of significant pieces to put on display and provide a warm, welcoming place for alumni to visit. The relocation team – composed of Char (Miller) Binkley g64, Stephanie (Cox) Demorest g93, Dr. Jay Platte g69, and Bill Gerig g61 – showed remarkable discernment in how to maximize our space while keeping precious items that remind us of our history and heritage.

“I hope our alumni see our commitment to continue the ministry of caring, connecting, and celebrating, and that it will encourage them to share with us, perhaps some volunteer time or their financial partnership, or their stories and memories,” Michael said. “I’m filled with gratitude for the ministry that has already been accomplished, and I hope that this move will enable us to continue fulfilling our ministry to Fort Wayne alumni and friends.”

Your Alumni Center is currently staffed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and by appointment. However, the ministry takes place around the clock in part through our website: www.fwalumnicenter.org. Volunteers are still needed to answer phones, greet guests, digitize and upload archive items (training provided), send notes and cards, etc. E-mail alumnifw@taylor.edu for more information.

Soon Ring doorbells will be installed at the new location (front and back entrances), so we can let alumni in or communicate if we’re not in the office. Until these are installed, please call 260.744.8790 to let us know you’re coming. Parking is available to the south of the Welty Education Building, which is on the corner of Rudisill Blvd and South Wayne Ave.

We’ll roll out the blue carpet officially on June 3, and we’re planning a 10-year celebration on Saturday, September 21. Hope to see you soon!