A nervous freshman peeks around the corner of the stacks on the second floor of Magale Library holding her giant biology textbook tightly to her chest. Mustering some courage, she walks tentatively through the doorway into the new Learning Commons. Inside she sees groups of students drawing up plans for a community service project on one of the mobile whiteboards. A few others sit nearby joking as they play a quick game of giant checkers in between classes. One student looks up from the game, recognizing her from his Christian Leadership class -- “Hey! It’s Julie, right? Come on in – we're winning!” Julie drops her hands from across her chest and relaxes into the chatter of the room. A few minutes later, I watch from my faculty office as Julie is introduced by her classmate to a peer learning consultant who supports students in science courses. The smiles and easy rapport between them tells me all I need to know – Julie’s found a place of belonging on campus.

I graduated from Centenary in 2008 before going on to graduate school in Washington, D.C. and moving to Mississippi for my first academic job. I had amazing experiences here, and I also remember being that shy 18-year-old peeking around the corner looking for a friendly face. I remember the first time I had a question about a history paper and the kind welcome Dr. Sam Shepherd gave me as I braved a trip to his office in the library basement. Now, my office sits just a few floors up.

The Learning Commons is in its inaugural year (months, really), but we have a bold mission: to foster students’ personal and intellectual growth and facilitate access to academic resources, while making connections and building supportive networks across campus. Made possible by a transformational gift from an alum, our vision is to create a space for academic innovation and creativity. We are the home of Centenary’s new Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Disability Services, First-Year Mentoring and Advising, and our experiential learning curriculum, Trek. Students who visit the Commons can land an internship at an investment firm on their way to workshop a presentation for the campus research conference. They can sip coffee with a peer mentor while discussing the best ways to manage the transition to college life. They can practice their Spanish fluency skills as they plan for a semester abroad. They can laugh their way through a game of giant checkers while welcoming new students into the Centenary family.

By far, what I treasure most from my time at Centenary are the relationships I formed with my peers and faculty mentors. As I type this, I am receiving a flurry of texts from the girls I rowed on the crew team with while we plan our annual reunion in May. Later tonight, I’ll attend a reception with my former English professor (now colleague and mentor) to celebrate her wife’s art opening. This weekend I’ll meet my classmate’s new baby girl for the first time at my nephew’s birthday party. As I look around, I know that most students don’t yet realize what those of us who’ve had the honor of joining this special community know: a Centenary education is a legacy – a lifelong gift. I’m grateful to have the chance to work alongside my colleagues to continue that legacy and give back what others gave to me.