MARION, Ind. (Jan. 23, 2026) — Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) will officially open its new campus Welcome Center on February 19, offering prospective students, families, and guests a dedicated place to learn what it is like to be an IWU student and to experience the university before enrolling.
The Welcome Center will serve as the primary starting point for Marion campus visits, providing an introduction to programs, the admissions and financial aid process, student life, athletics, and the values that shape the IWU experience. Designed to be inviting and informative, the space is intended to help visitors understand how IWU supports students from their first campus visit through graduation.
"The purpose of our new 12,000 square foot welcome center is to provide our guests with the best in High-Impact Hospitality through a one-stop experience for admissions and financial aid,” said Jon Kulaga, Ph.D., president of IWU. “Whether they plan a traditional visit, a group experience, or a custom Spanish-immersive tour, our goal for prospective students and their families is to demonstrate what an unapologetically Christ-centered campus experience looks and feels like.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at the corner of 45th and Washington Street, which has been transformed into the new Welcome Center. The event is open to members of the IWU community, including faculty, staff, alumni, and board members.
The event will also include the unveiling of a replica Gutenberg press on loan from the Green Collection at Museum of the Bible (MOTB). The press is the first of hundreds of MTOB artifacts planned for display in the Welcome Center Bible Experience Museum, adding an educational and historical element to the Center, while also tangibly emphasizing and demonstrating that everything we do at IWU is based on the Word of God and the work of Christ.
“Creating a clear and welcoming first impression is essential,” said Daniel Solms, vice president of enrollment. “The Welcome Center allows us to intentionally tell our story and help future students and their families understand what makes IWU distinctive.”
The IWU Welcome Center supports the university’s long-term efforts to enhance the campus visit experience and ensure that every guest has a clear, engaging introduction to life at IWU.
