Facts and Figures

PURPOSE

• The Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values was designed to nurture the development of character and values of UT’s students who represent all 50 states, 100 countries and many different religions and beliefs.
• It is meant to be an inspiring setting for meditation and personal development.
• Center programs will enhance the understanding of diversity, world cultures and religions, and improve religious literacy on campus.
• There are currently nine student organizations on campus where discussions on character, values and religious issues are the primary focus.
• UT has more than 30 partnerships with community places of worship in the Tampa Bay area. Community partners meet with student groups monthly to conduct worship services, discuss issues and support other spiritual needs.
• The Resource Team for Faith, Values and Spirituality, made up of faculty, staff and students, sponsors many activities including: Community Conversations, Speakers Forum on Religion, the Character and Values Leadership Retreat, Spirituality and Film series and the Values Book Club.
• The University’s Department of Philosophy and Religion also offers programs that introduce students to a wide variety of philosophical traditions and issues and enhances critical thinking.

BUILDING FEATURES

• The building is located in the geographic center of campus. It is 65 feet tall and the building’s footprint is 15,000 sq. ft. The total project is valued at $20 million.
• The design is expressed as two praying hands, sheltering the space within and allowing space and light to pass between them.
• Brick, granite and zinc are the primary materials of the exterior. There is a tradition of red brick construction at UT. The zinc roof references the gleaming stainless steel minarets atop Plant Hall.
• The entrance to the center opens to a pre-function vestibule from which visitors can view the main hall of the chapel.
• In the center, there is extensive use of glass, warm cherry wood and granite. The use of natural light was an important design element for the main hall. At night, the interior and exterior of the building are lit to glow in a very distinctive and artistic way.
• The center is an acoustically superior and adaptable space. Careful detailing of the walls, floors, roof, windows and doors isolates the center from outside noise. Background noise from air conditioning and lighting systems has been reduced to very low levels so that instrumental and vocal projection is clearly audible.
• The main hall of the center seats approximately 260 people. The stage can be expanded using movable platforms. All the furniture was custom designed to echo the unique arch design of the center.
• To the south of the main hall, a tall arcaded hallway leads to meeting and meditation rooms.
• Boldly-designed glass decorates all the rooms along the hallway. The glass was designed by Guy Kemper and hand-blown and painted in Germany by a glass painter considered one of the best in the world.
• The meeting room seats 30, but easily can be divided into two smaller rooms.
• There are two meditation rooms — one contemporary and one traditional. The contemporary room has a multi-wood labyrinth inlaid in the floor.
• The building was designed by tvsdesign of Atlanta, GA, and constructed by Peter R. Brown Construction of Clearwater, FL.

THE ORGAN

• The pipe organ casework stands 55 feet high and has 3,184 pipes. It was designed specifically for this one-of-a-kind building to harmonize with the architecture.
• It is a Dobson mechanical key action or “tracker” organ — the type of organ preferred by many of the world’s greatest organists.
• The diverse nature of the University’s music programs required a large and versatile instrument.
• In addition to the pipes visible from the center, a vast three-story room behind the façade houses many more pipes.
• The pipes are made of either wood or tin alloy. The horizontal pipes in the center are the herald trumpets and are used for fanfares and special solos. It took six months to tune the pipes.
• Because of its size, musical quality and the beauty of its setting, the organ will be ranked as a premier instrument in the state and region and among the most notable organs in the country.
• The concert grand piano was made in Germany by Blüthner, one of the finest piano builders in the world.
• Although music always has been a key academic program and an important part of UT’s culture, the organ and piano will add a new musical component to the campus and community, enhance UT’s academic music programs and add to the community’s overall music enjoyment and appreciation.

GARDENS

• The landscaping around the building helps to create a peaceful setting. On the center’s east side, seasonal flowers will bloom in the Sunrise Garden. On the west side of the building, the Sykes Meditation Garden provides a contemplative space protected from the hurried pace of campus life.
• A 7-ton Georgia “Dixie Blue” granite shell-rock and bronze sculpture recognizes John and Susan Sykes for their generous gift which made building the center possible.

DONORS

• John and Susan Sykes have been longtime benefactors of The University of Tampa. In 1999 UT acknowledged John H. Sykes by naming its College of Business in his honor. In 2000 the Sykes made another gift to help build the Vaughn Center.
• The current chair of UT’s Board of Trustees, Gene McNichols, and his family also contributed significantly to the funding of the center.