IWU WELCOME CENTER

The previous welcome experience didn't reflect the energy or ambition of IWU's campus identity. The building selected for the new Welcome Center had served as office and classroom space - functional, but neutral. It lacked the brand presence and visitor flow needed to make a lasting impression on prospective students and families at one of the most important decision-making moments of their lives.

Marion Design Co. approached the project from the outside in, studying both the building's existing architecture and the experience of the visitors it would serve. We developed multiple exterior and interior configurations through three-dimensional renderings, giving IWU stakeholders the ability to see and feel the space before construction began. Every decision, from traffic flow and parking to selfie spots and signage  was made with one question in mind: what does a prospective student need to feel the moment they arrive?

Today, the IWU Welcome Center makes its impression from the street. Bold IWU signage, layered lighting, and a redesigned parking and wayfinding pull visitors naturally toward the entrance. Inside, a dynamic feature wall greets guests with dynamic student life imagery and IWU interactive maps,  including selfie spots anchored by IWU, Wesley Seminary, and athletics logos that give prospective students an immediate, shareable connection to the university. A café window, warm sconce lighting, and open sightlines straight through to campus set the tone for the IWU college experience. 

The result is a space that doesn't just orient visitors — it inspires them. For a prospective student walking through those doors, Indiana Wesleyan University feels like a place they belong.