Upperclassman fellows will reside at 820 Henderson Streeet in August
This August upperclassman Capstone Fellows will be moving into the apartments at 820 Henderson St. where the French House currently stands. The French House will transition to the French Living and Learning Community and join the Spanish and International Living and Learning Communities in Maxcy College.
The small residence hall just yards from Capstone House, where first- and second-year Capstone Scholars reside, will be home to 23 third- and fourth-year Capstone Scholars who have earned at least a 3.0 GPA and 40 Capstone points.
The French Living and Learning Community’s move to Maxcy offered that housing option to Capstone as well as the opportunity for the French Living and Learning Community to grow.
“One of the challenges the house has faced is a lack of community space to host events, cook together, show movies and have conversation. We do not currently have a native speaker living in the house, nor do we have a community space for events,” said Lara Anderson, French House faculty adviser. “The
International House at Maxcy would be able to accommodate those needs. I am really excited to see great things come out of this and to bring groups of French-speaking students together to live together, and to learn, study and grow.”
The lack of community space and cultural events in the French House has affected some current residents’ experiences in the community.
“I think the move will help facilitate communication within the learning community,” said Audrey Wenzel, a second-year economics student and French House resident who leaves Monday to study abroad in Paris. “I only met and saw one other student in the building on a regular basis other than my two roommates.
There were many problems coordinating events for the community this semester.”
The French Living and Learning Community will also expand to include first-year students, a change from previous years when only upperclassmen were allowed to live in the French House. Another benefit from moving the French Living and Learning Community to Maxcy is the proximity to the Spanish and International Living and Learning Communities.
“Being a part of the International House at Maxcy could be a very good opportunity for the French community,” said Caroline Mosser, French House activity coordinator. “It can lead to bigger events, and we could work with the other international communities.”
The installation of the Capstone Fellows House will also allow the Capstone Scholars Program to grow.
“Fellows are top students, so we want them to be able to build and explore leadership within the Capstone program,” said David DeWeil, assistant principal of the Capstone Scholars Program, who noted the proximity of 820 Henderson St. to Capstone House as a plus. “One thing we’ll have them do is help create a program about once a month for everyone in Capstone to take advantage of, whether it’s a workshop or leadership program or social event. Our expectation of them is to play a role in the community.”
Capstone Fellows House residents are also expected to serve as mentors for first-year Capstone Scholars.
“Residents will be a ‘go to’ person for freshmen who have questions,” said second-year middle level education student Grace Johnson, who became a Capstone Fellow at the end of last semester and hopes to live in the Fellows House. “I think it is a good way to help keep some older students involved and available to help younger Capstone members.”