- Nine Moravian University students were chosen for the United Nations' Millennium Fellowship
- More than 44,000 students applied, but only about 4,000 were accepted
- The local students' plan includes how the university can have the least impact on the environment during the demolition of the Haupert Union Building
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Nine Moravian University undergraduates have been chosen for a semester-long United Nations fellowship program aimed at keeping environmental impacts to a minimum as work begins on the student union.
“The entire Moravian University community is extremely proud of the nine students selected for this very prestigious fellowship,” said university President Bryon Grigsby in a news release. “To be selected from the large number of worldwide applicants is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students, not to mention the long list of faculty and family supporters.”
The students were chosen for the UN’s Millennium Fellowship, which focuses on bolstering students who show interest and promise in leadership and social impact. Of more than 44,000 applicants from more than 3,000 campuses across the globe, about 4,000 students were selected from 268 campuses in 38 nations.
The Moravian students selected include Melanie Johnson and Isabella Ziccardi, both of whom are also student campus directors, Jayden Brennan, Arly Hernandez, Hunter Morris, Logan Palau, Gillian Schonenberg, Prince Sokpo and Za-nya Wright.
“The topics the Moravian University student leaders proposed in the application for the Millennium Fellowship included sustainability and the HUB (specifically how Moravian can have the least impact on the environment during the planned demolition of the Haupert Union Building on Moravian’s Main Street campus in 2024), gender equality, zero hunger and peace, justice and strong institutions,” according to the release.
Plans for the building were sparked in 2020 as officials wanted to center student needs, according to the university’s website, and a “HUB expansion team” was created.
The dining spaces will be preserved, but everything from the information desk to the north entrance will be demolished to make way for rebuilding. The group decided to add two more floors and then began delving deeply into the design and character of each.Moravian University officials
“The dining spaces will be preserved, but everything from the information desk to the north entrance will be demolished to make way for rebuilding,” according to the site. “The group decided to add two more floors and then began delving deeply into the design and character of each.”
The building is broken down into four parts. “The Garden Level” is slated to hold health and counseling centers, while the first floor will have an alumni engagement room, an expanded suite for the Center for Career and Civic Engagement and the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The second floor will include a wellness center and multi-faith suite, and the fourth floor will have an event center and board room.
Construction on the building is slated to begin in May.
