Building momentum at Saint Joseph’s College
Saint Joseph’s College’s Building and Trades program has reached a major milestone. The first student-built home in Waugh Estates has officially sold, marking an exciting moment for our students and the future of the program. What began as a training project is now a home built by students and owned by a family in the community, demonstrating the value and impact of this program.
Momentum has continued into the second home at Waugh Estates, where students have made impressive progress. Construction began in October with the foundation, followed by framing, wall and roof sheathing, and window installation. Students have worked through cold temperatures and windy days, gaining firsthand experience in the realities of construction work and the perseverance it requires.
In addition to enrolled Building and Trades students, the project has welcomed visiting high school students from area schools, including Faith Christian School of Lafayette. These students have had the opportunity to assist on the build, explore the tools and techniques of the trade, and gain early exposure to construction as a potential career path.
Saint Joseph’s is continuing to invest in the growth of the Building and Trades program. Plans are underway to expand trade offerings, with HVAC emerging as a strong first contender. Staff members traveled to Wisconsin in December to visit and review three established HVAC programs, gaining insight into curriculum, equipment needs, and facility requirements as we explore what it would take to launch an HVAC program on campus. Any new trades programs, including HVAC, would be housed in the Rec Center, which is being transformed into a dedicated Trades Hub to support program expansion.
That transformation is already underway. Last year, the board approved the installation of a new HVAC system in the Rec Center. This project has made significant progress and is now nearly complete. At the same time, the college has been working with an engineering company to develop design plans for the facility, helping determine the best layout for current and future program areas.
Investment across campus continues as well. The board recently approved the installation of a new heating system in the chapel, with work expected to begin soon. Plans are also moving forward to renovate the chapel basement into a dedicated space for the college’s archives, where pieces from Saint Joseph’s history will be displayed for alumni and visitors. The project will create a place where the story of the college can continue to be shared, helping keep the connection between Saint Joseph’s and its community strong for years to come.