09/04/2026
When you arrive in West Lafayette on a Saturday in late August, you may be overwhelmed by the 50,000 students milling about or the 2,500-acre Purdue campus. However, one building's quietly pristine exterior holds worlds of possibility and should not be overlooked.
Inside the Wesley Foundation at Purdue’s building, students find far more than a place to attend weekly worship. They find a spiritual home and a community where they can grow, question, serve, and belong. The Wesley Foundation provides a welcoming space where students can gather for worship, Bible study, prayer, and thoughtful conversations about faith and what it means to live out their beliefs.
For 109 years, United Methodist pastors, lay leaders, and students have been a vital part of the Purdue community. Nearly a year ago, they announced a capital campaign for a new building to welcome students in this school year. On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Bishop Tracy S. Malone joined campus ministry leader Rev. Glen Robyne and other Cabinet members for a ribbon-cutting and consecration service for the new building.
The building dedication would not have been complete without a word from Bishop Malone. “I am grateful for all whose vision, generosity, prayers, and faithful leadership made this new Student Center possible,” she said.
This ceremony was a wonderful opportunity to thank the many people and organizations who invested in this project, through efforts extended, donations made, and more. A few of the more unique gifts given included a piece of stained glass from First UMC in West Lafayette, which was was originally installed in their sanctuary in 1968. (The piece went through an artistic redesign and now lives in the Great Hall in the new Wesley Foundation Student Center.) Other unique donations include a restroom stall sponsored by Mack Owings and Monica McDougal in honor of Monica's brother, a dishwasher sponsored by Purdue students, and, last—but certainly not least— the continuous support of a cereal bar by Grace UMC.
Bishop Malone prayed, "As we cut this ribbon and now that these doors have been opened, we ask [God's] blessings upon this building and all who will enter it. May this be a place where students are encouraged, where lives are enriched, and your love is made known. Gracious God, bless the ministry of the Wesley Foundation, its leaders, its students it supports, and all who would be served through this ministry. May this center serve your purposes. May this center strengthen your kingdom and bring glory to your name for generations to come."
Wesley Foundation certainly does serve the Lord’s purposes. Going beyond spiritual formation, students have opportunities to put their faith into action through justice and service initiatives, community outreach, and other opportunities to make a meaningful difference on campus and in the broader community. The building also serves as a place for students to relax and build friendships through recreational activities, shared meals, social gatherings, and simply spending time together between classes. Whether a student is looking for a deeper connection to their faith, a way to serve others, a place to study, or simply a community of like-minded people who understand the unique joys and challenges of college life, the Wesley Foundation offers a place where students can show up as they are, find connection, and discover that they do not have to navigate their college journey alone.
In a recent statement, board member Matthew Oates jokingly talked about the sanctuary without air conditioning during his time on campus and went on to say that he hopes “that every student who walks through our doors will embrace the history, purpose, and community that makes Wesley so special.”
The afternoon concluded in the most quintessentially United Methodist way, with a shared meal. Through the bustle of conversations, you could hear laughter that comes from multi-generational gatherings full of hope, love, and gratitude for all that God has done and all that God will do through the ministry of the Wesley Foundation. To God be the glory!
