Completed residence hall provides new community space

Cedarville University opened its newest residence facility in August with the start of the 2017-18 academic year. The facility was needed as Cedarville University experienced its 11th consecutive record enrollment.

Jenkins Hall is a $3.3 million facility, and it was completely paid for by donor and capital funds. It is named for Eleanor (Ellie) Sommerfeld Jenkins, the wife of board of trustees member Warren Jenkins. Ellie passed away in 2015.

The new hall is divided into four 16-person units. Each unit includes eight bedrooms, a large living space with a kitchenette, a study lounge and a bathroom with built-in laundry.

“We really wanted community and discipleship space in this living environment,” said Mindy May, director for student development and dean of women. “We’ve seen how the unit styles really build community, so we were trying to create that common space for students, but also provide more room.”

This is the first of potentially three new residence halls, May explained. Construction has already begin on the second facility this fall, with plans for a third depending on continued rising student enrollment.

“It’s encouraging to know that there’s still a need,” May said. “Students want to live somewhere nice, and we want to be able to provide that.”

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,963 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.