Earlier this month, Eastern Michigan University finalized the purchase of the former Holy Trinity Chapel. The building—located at 511 W. Forest Ave.—will serve as the new home of The Honors College.
Since 2011, The Honors College has nearly doubled in size. For the 2014-2015 school year, 1,400 were part of the college. Its former home, Starkweather Hall, was no longer large enough for the substantial amount of students it served.
The Honors College will be sharing the building with Eastern’s performing arts programs, which will use the former chapel area for performances and rehearsals.
The building cost the university $940,000. The purchase was for 21,000 square feet. Most of the building was built in 1965, but an addition was constructed in 2005. The building includes the former chapel area, a large central room, offices and classrooms.
In a university statement, interim president Kim Schatzel said, “This is an outstanding property and is in excellent condition for transformation to The Honors College. Closing on this property reflects the University’s overall strategy to raise our academic profile, along with our continued efforts to enhance academic facilities across campus.”
