The Most Beautiful Campus
Words: Dr. Philip Graham Ryken ’88
Photos: Neil Gates
This summer, Lisa Maxwell Ryken ’88 and I were privileged to visit Uganda Christian University in Mukono, not far from Uganda’s capital city—Kampala.
The university is justifiably proud of its recognition as one of Africa’s “most beautiful campuses.” Lush green lawns run up UCU’s long hillsides to a small forest at the apex of its 700 acres, which form a sanctuary for birds, monkeys, and other wildlife. The Bishop Tucker Building—which serves as the university’s administrative headquarters— dates to the early 1900s and features a beautiful chapel and a classic lecture hall.
What makes UCU even more beautiful than its grounds are the Christ-followers who teach and study there. We witnessed this firsthand as we met university leaders and then celebrated with thousands of graduates in their commencement exercises. Like Wheaton alumni, Uganda’s future lawyers, doctors, teachers, ministers, engineers, journalists, and business leaders give us bright hope for the future.
We, too, aspire to maintain a beautiful campus. From the hallowed precincts of Blanchard Hall to the research labs in the Meyer Science Center to the stunning performance venues in Armerding Hall, we are blessed with wonderful spaces for liberal arts learning. Our lawns, trees, and flowers make a positive impression on prospective students and attract countless neighbors to stroll our lovely property.
But the most beautiful spot on Wheaton’s campus for me is the stage of Edman Chapel, where I gaze upon 2,000 worshipers from 50 states and 100 countries and envision the future church.
We are committed to sustaining the beauty and functionality of our campus community. This includes our facilities—the buildings that shape us. Due to the early success of Wheaton’s Faithfully Forward campaign, we will soon break ground on a major expansion of the Chrouser Sports Complex and a grand renovation of Wheaton’s library.
We believe that the most beautiful campus is a place where each student is known and loved, where evangelical faith and practice are formed by Holy Scripture, and where sacred learning is dedicated to the honor of Jesus Christ.
Bees pollinate the flowers on campus.
Photo by Kayla Smith
