York University celebrated with weekend guests a milestone in the To Honor and To Serve Campaign with the dedication of Eckman Hall and ribbon cutting ceremony. Built in 1986 as an assisted living facility, the property was acquired by York University in early 2021 and renovated for student use.
Community partnerships and generous financial support have provided students with a great new residential option. Of note were gifts from Kelly and Virginia Holthus, Union Bank and Trust, the Sunderland Foundation and an anonymous naming gift to honor Steve and LaRee Eckman (’71).
Tribute speakers at the dedication ceremony included Kellie (Fredendall ’21) Falco and Benjamin Smail (’12). Both tributes focused on the Eckmans’ legacy of service to students with stories of the ways “Prez Eck” and LaRee opened their home and their hearts.
Steve and LaRee began their journey together as classmates at York in 1969. Side by side, they would serve in Christian education for more than forty years, including an early stint at York from 1973 until 1979. In 2009, they were asked to come home to York and serve as president and first lady. It was a calling they would fully embrace for the next 12 years.
Milestones during this era include new facilities (Bartholomew Performing Arts Center, Campbell Activity Center, Clayton Museum of Ancient History, Touchton Clubhouse), several major renovations, campus beautification, the largest fundraising campaign in school history, and a tripling of the university’s permanent endowment.
Yet, the trademark of the Eckman years at York was a constant devotion to students by both Steve and LaRee. They attended every home game and many other campus events, welcomed students into their home, and provided a much needed get-away destination for many. They cared greatly about students and the students knew it.
Eckman Hall can accommodate up to 80 students in a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments. Students enjoy large living spaces, private restrooms, climate control, and common spaces that allow opportunities for large formal and informal gatherings. At just under $2 million, this project came in at a fraction of the cost for a new facility and a greatly welcomed addition to the current comprehensive fundraising effort.
The To Honor and To Serve Campaign will conclude on June 30, 2023. With nearly $20 million raised, it is the largest fundraising effort in York University history.