Moravian University’s new student ‘HUB’ is opening in time for the new school year. Here’s a sneak peek
Moravian University’s new Haupert Union Building on Monocacy and West Laurel streets in Bethlehem plans to open in the fall and features brand new spaces for career services, interfaith spaces, student lounges and dining services.
The original HUB was demolished in March 2024 and all campus facilities were consolidated in other academic buildings in the meantime. The project is costing $45 million, with $10 million in funding coming from donations.
“For us, it was really important to bring the student voice to the design and ultimately, the life of the building, knowing that they’re the folks who are going to spend the most amount of time in here, as well as the student life staff who are the ones who support those students outside of the classroom as they’re creating their Moravian experience,” said Nicole Loyd, chief operating officer and dean of students at Moravian University.
Features of the four-floor HUB include a Wellness Center on the first, lower floor of the building. The main entrance on the second floor opens into the Center for Career Success, dining services, an office for the Center for Inclusive Excellence, a fireplace and lounge space.
The HUB, once built, expects to receive full WELL certification from the International WELL Building Institute. The WELL certification includes parameters around air and water quality, light and movement, thermal comfort, and community and material importance.
The HUB will be only one of two academic buildings in Pennsylvania with WELL certification, the other being the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton External Affairs office in FMC Tower in Philadelphia.
“We were recently named the fifth fastest growing university in the country [by University Magazine], which was amazing,” said Scott Dams, vice president for enrollment and marketing. “The focus on Career Services has been driving a lot of that growth. The undergraduate experience is called ‘Elevate,’ and it’s the whole student experience.”
The “Elevate” program, offered through Career Services, guides students through their entire college tenure, through travel programs, internship searches, leadership experiences or research projects.
All technology in the new building will have Apple AirPlay configuration for study areas, conference rooms and event spaces. As part of its partnership as an Apple Distinguished School, Moravian students receive Apple technology devices including a MacBook, iPad, Apple Pencil and Apple Watch once they accept an offer of admission.
Other features of the HUB include a mindfulness space with booths, arched seating areas with greenery, and a wellness terrace for students to use at any time.
“This is really intended as a decompression space for the students,” said Amber Donato, associate director of project management in the facilities department. “It’s not for studying, it’s not for meetings. It’s really just to come and be quiet. The goal of the building as a whole is wellness, but this room in particular is really for the students to come and have a reset.”
In other floors on the building, space for offices and university leadership have clear views of the John Makuvek turf field or the Payne Hurd student athletic center. Some terraces have accommodations and plan to be utilized to watch athletic events on the Makuvek field or commencement events.
Other spaces around the HUB include offices for resident and student life, a game room, meeting rooms with designated areas for art display, a commuter lounge with lockers and storage space, the Mo’s Cupboard student resource pantry, and a Military Affairs and Services lounge.
“I think seeing it come to life, we’re just excited to have our community internally here greater, but the external community as well,” said Mark Reed, chief financial officer at Moravian. “On the fourth floor, we dedicated space to conference areas designed to bring people to this campus to showcase it. It’s the gem of our campus, and it’s something that we expect our entire community to be as excited about as I’ve become.”
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