We’re building a better WCU. You tell us how far we can go.

On Friday, September 17th, coinciding with West Chester University’s150th anniversary celebrations, President Fiorentino announced a $65 million comprehensive campaign, 150Forward: The Campaign for West Chester University.

This campaign, the largest in the university’s history, sets important and ambitious goals for the next generation of WCU students.

The goals are simple:

• Investing in our Students.  Breaking down barriers to education and foster accessibility through scholarships.
• Creating Opportunity.  Provide opportunities for academic, civic and professional growth, inside and outside of the classroom, across our campus, and in our communities.
• Leading with Technology.  Build a connected campus that features the technological advancements to meet the needs of an ever-changing world.

More than $42 million dollars has been raised in support of these priorities. Working alongside President Fiorentino and our Foundation to make this campaign a reality are campaign co-chairs Eric K. Bossard ’85, Marc Duey, and Jacquelyne North ’81.

West Chester University has never had greater momentum than today. Capitalizing on our rich history, healthy enrollments, and new national initiatives, we are ready to fulfill our mission of student success for the next 150 years.

Located at the northwest corner of High Street and Rosedale Avenue in West Chester, The Roger and Agnes Ware Plaza, which features a president’s walk and a fountain that illuminates in the evening, was formally dedicated on Saturday, September 25, by the West Chester University community and members of the Ware family.

The metamorphosis was five years in the making and began with an epiphany that Roger Ware had on what he called a rainy and sleepless night in Georgia. “When I awoke the next morning, I informed my wife, Agnes, about my idea for a fountain project for the University,” shared Ware with more than 75 students, faculty, staff, family, and friends who gathered at the new Plaza. “Her response was, ‘If that is what you want, make it happen.’ Today is the day that I have literally been dreaming about.”

Ware said that he discussed his brainchild with President Fiorentino and the two made plans to include the new entrance in the University’s landscape improvement plans.

“We also discussed that studies show that when prospective students visit a campus for the first time, they usually know within the first ten minutes if that campus feels like home,” said Ware. “Agnes and I hope that this Plaza and fountain is enjoyed by students, faculty, and staff for years to come. We wanted a space to be the first spot a new prospective student would see when visiting, a place to take family photos, graduation pictures, a place to relax, and enjoy this beautiful campus and city.”

As the University celebrates its 150^th Anniversary, The Roger and Agnes Ware Plaza is the icing on the birthday cake. “Thanks to Roger and Agnes, this incredible new gateway welcomes the arrival of all to campus and to the borough of West Chester,” said Fiorentino in his remarks. “We at this University are grateful for your generous support throughout the years, and for conceptualizing this magnificent space and being its visionary. As West Chester University celebrates its sesquicentennial, this Plaza truly reflects our new beginning.”

Also acknowledged during the ceremony for their work on the project were the University’s Vice President of Finance and Administration Todd E. Murphy, Associate Vice President for Facilities Gary Bixby, and members of the Department of Facilities Management.

Following a formal countdown led by Fiorentino and the audience, the fountain was formally turned on and cars passing by acknowledged the towering spurts of water by tooting their horns.

The fountain, which will be operational for the public’s enjoyment except when winds are too high or temperatures fall below 40 degrees F, is composed of two large concentric spray rings, 22’ (ring 1) and 15’ (ring 2) in diameter with arching multi-stream jets. Four vertical multi-stream jets are fed from a smaller ring (ring 3) at the center of the feature with underwater light fixtures inboard of the two spray rings and at the central vertical jets. Each ring has 20 jets (40 ring jets and 4 central jets, total). All jets are installed flush with the pavement. There are four central jets, or column jets, arrayed at 90° on a diameter of 16” at the center of the fountain. These jets are also mounted flush with the plaza.

Roger Ware, Jr. graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 1982.  Roger has served as president and chief executive officer of Jencap Insurance Services Inc. (formerly Genesee General) since 1998.