Union University faculty and students gathered in Brewer Dining Hall this morning on April 4 at 10 a.m. for a time of worship and to hear an update on the university’s plans after the damage to the Penick Academic Complex (PAC) the night before.
At around 8:30 p.m. last night, part of the roof of the PAC gave way, and an exterior wall was compromised due to a combination of heavy rain and winds up to 100 miles an hour. The water line for the fire suppression system burst when the roof fell, flooding the area with further water, and a gas line was severed.
First responders arrived on the scene immediately to secure the area and turn off the gas. An Elite Contractor crew tore down an exterior wall to keep water from pooling on the roof and to limit further damage.
Since it was not possible to hold usual chapel services in the PAC this morning, Union held a time of prayer and worship in the Brewer Dining Hall. Union University President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver gave an update on the status of the PAC damage and reminded the staff and student body that the damage to the building should not impact the community’s stability.
“Our hope isn’t in buildings. Our hope is in Jesus Christ,” Oliver said.
The most severely affected area was the space where the old Wellness Center used to be, which had been empty and unused for several months due to the building of the new Wellness Center in a different area of the PAC. The areas most impacted by the water damage are in the west end of the building: the art department, the department of languages, literature and writing, the social work department and the athletic areas, including both gyms.
“I praise God that if any part of the PAC roof was going to fail, the very best place for it to fail was the old Wellness Center that no one has been in for seven months and that didn’t have anything in it,” Oliver said.
Justin Wainscott, associate dean of the school of theology and missions, led the group in a time of prayer, thanking God that there was no injury caused by the storm damage and asking for wisdom as the school moves forward with reconstruction and relocations.
Gavin Kopko, a junior worship music major who was a part of the worship team, said that he felt it was important that Union came together to worship after the damage to the PAC to reinforce the unity of the community.
“One of the main reasons we wanted to do this was because chapel is something that automatically unites all of us,” Kopko said. “We’re still all together and we’re still worshipping together.”
About 7,500 square feet of the PAC will need to be demolished and about 100,000 square feet will need significant cleanup efforts.
“I think this moment gives us another opportunity to remember the way that God always protects us and provides for us even in the midst of unexpected challenges,” Jacob Shatzer, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said.
All classes and offices in the damaged part of the building will need to be relocated for the rest of the semester, but Union plans to resume normal activities and classes in the unaffected portion of the PAC on Monday.
“I’m thankful that we have a close-knit community that doesn’t fall apart but instead comes together,” Oliver said.
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