If you walk across the street from the TKE house, you’ll come across the International Center. It is a distinct white house with a fancy red door. It didn’t always look this good upfront, however. For years, the building has sat somewhat quietly on the periphery of the daily student experience, blending into the residential landscape rather than standing out as a premier destination for student life. But behind that red door, a significant transformation is taking place, one that asks us to reconsider how we support a crucial segment of our campus community.

The driving force behind this revitalization is alumnus and Trustee Munawar Ali ’93, who originally came forward with the idea to the College’s administration. As a former international student himself, Ali understands the unique transition of coming from abroad to a tight-knit college campus. Coming to a new country requires a space where students can feel completely grounded. But while the International House, as it has been known, has served students the best it could — thanks to the work of individuals like Director of International Programs Amy Weir — the space limited the ways that students could use it. Having reconnected to Wabash through an appreciation of President Scott Feller’s emphasis on creating community on campus, Ali saw his opportunity to make an impact by turning the building into something more akin to the other student safe spaces on campus.

“In my mind, community is created by the sharing of ideas, knowledge and experiences together, and I just felt like that was missing, which is what led me to pitch the idea to the school,” said Ali.

The transition from a former residence into a student center is not always a seamless one, and for a long time, the building lacked the warmth and functionality required to serve as a true home away from home.

“We are hoping to turn this place into a more dedicated space like the Latino Community Center and Malcolm X Institute for Black Studies,” said Weir.

Due to the Center’s long history as a residential house, some alumni may not even recognize it in its current state — many will know it as the house of legendary professor of religion Hall Peebles (known to many students as simply Yahweh).

“This is a way to rebuild the image of the International Center,” said Weir, “so the international center can build a new reputation of its own.”

This lofty goal, to elevate the building’s purpose from a simple residential house or advising space to an active, educational hub, will require work from all parties. But it is worth it because it centers on having the ability to hang out and get students more involved and educated within the wider community.

“Sharing knowledge and experience together is what was missing,” said Ali.

Imagine a space where domestic and international students regularly cross paths, share meals, cultural traditions and global perspectives on a Friday afternoon. That is the kind of vibrant, interactive environment this project hopes to spark. However, this current phase is just the beginning. The renovations are more of an experiment to see if the concept is flourishing and worth truly investing into to make a dedicated building down the line. By breathing new life into the existing structure, the College can gauge student interest, measure foot traffic and see if the campus embraces the Center as a core part of student life. If it succeeds, it could pave the way for more investment down the line.

The renovations are projected to take only a few months. The turnaround time is fast, especially given that it was only this spring that plans were formally introduced. The work crews are focusing on the essentials: improving the cosmetic appeal, making the space functional, ensuring it is handicap accessible and upgrading the rooms so that students can make the space their own. Ultimately, this project is about equity and representation, but it’s also about claiming part of Wabash’s story.

“Wabash has a rich history of reaching out across the geographical boundary, even before being global became vogue,” said Ali. “We were already on that vein. So, we just need to claim it. I think we need to claim it and own it and celebrate it. That’s all it boils down to.”

International students make up around 10% of the student body and contribute in no small part to the functioning and learning that happens at the College. With the fancy red door now serving as a welcoming beacon, the International Center is finally taking its rightful place as a cornerstone of our community.

Photos by Danny Vallos ’30