University
Honors Program
The Gardella Chapel
was dedicated in the summer of 1963. This thirty-six by fifteen
foot structure is located in the northwest quadrant of campus
between Briggs and the School of Architecture. The chapel
was the gift of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Gardella, and dedicated
to Our Blessed Mother. In recent years the use of the structure
as a worship space had significantly decreased. Given this
state of affairs, and bearing in mind the recent wholesale
renovation of the St. Ignatius Chapel and the continued use
of the Young Martyr’s Chapel in Shiple Hall, it was
thought that the University might be able to make a better
use of this space. After meetings with various stakeholders
and a representative of the Gardella family in the spring
of 2006, permission was granted to move ahead with plans to
convert the space to an Honors House.
The Gardella
Honors House
Over the following year
funds were raised from private donors to renovate and furnish
the space for this purpose. The roof has been re-surfaced,
the heating registers replaced, the electric capacity upgraded,
the limestone walls cleaned and the ceiling freshly painted.
Wi-fi internet access has been extended to the structure,
and air conditioning installed. Furnishings include study
tables, a couch, comfortable reading chairs, and floor lamps.
The Gardella Honors House was officially dedicated on Wednesday,
September 19, 2007, as part of the Founders Celebrations.
At the top, Father Stockhausen
poses between George Gardella III (left) and George Gardella
Jr. (right), the Gardella House's chief benefactors; at center
left, student deans Jennifer Janusch, Cassie Moran and John
Chirco hold the ribbon while Program Director David Koukal
helps the Gardellas and Father Stockhausen do the honors;
the pictures at center right and the bottom feature the multi-use
study tables designed and fabricated by the Detroit
Collaborative Design Center of the School
of Architecture, the space's lounge area, the crucifix
donated by our neighbors at Gesu Parish, and the original
stained glass that will provide a dramatic backdrop to this
24/7 quiet study place for Honors students. The space will
also be used for informal Program receptions, and may also
be used to teach Honors classes in the future, if needed.
The first official Honors
event in the Gardella House was a screening of Little
Miss Sunshine, which took place after the dedication.
To request a key to the
Gardella House, click here.
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