LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College hosted a blessing, dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 9, at the new Dunlap Family Athletic and Recreation Center located on the College campus.
The $26 million facility expands opportunities for wellness, recreation and student life. It features a 70-yard NFL-approved synthetic turf field, multipurpose sport courts, a fitness room and batting cages, providing the College’s varsity athletes with an area for weather-protected practices and intramural athletes with ample space for year-round competition.
Dr. Jeff Mallory, C’06, G’13, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Saint Vincent College, described the new building as another positive differentiator for the College community.
“When it comes to the wellness and health of our community, we have certainly delivered with this building. We’ve had students and members of our Benedictine monastic community say how blessed they are to have this Center for their health and wellness needs,” Mallory said. “When you think of Saint Vincent—the legacy, the heritage, the Benedictine and monastic traditions that we have—this is yet another differentiator that we have here with the delivery of the Dunlap Center. It’s a true blessing that we have it here.”
Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, PhD, president of Saint Vincent College, highlighted the relationship that the College has with the Dunlap family. The late Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., P’63, C’68, S’71, shared a long friendship with the late Ed Dunlap, for whom the building is named, along with his wife, Anna.
“[Ed Dunlap] was a philanthropist who did everything quietly. He really helped a lot of people in need, especially through the Pittsburgh area. He worked with Archabbot Douglas and made a lot happen,” Father Paul said. “We’re honored that the friendship that we have enabled them to put that Dunlap family name on the Center.”
Father Paul continues to steward the relationship with the Dunlap family. He and Tim Dunlap, CEO and president of his late father’s company, CentiMark, in Canonsburg, have been friends for over two decades. Dunlap said he is honored to see the Dunlap family name at Saint Vincent College.
“It is a very proud moment for our family, but also somewhat bittersweet. The Dunlap was the last project that our parents, Ed and Anna Dunlap, reviewed and approved before they passed away. They would have been so excited to see this beautiful facility for the students, faculty, community and, of course, our Pittsburgh Steelers,” Dunlap said. “For over 50 years, our parents were always looking for ways to help people. That became their life’s work. Saint Vincent College has always held a special place in their hearts. They were devout Catholics and proponents of a Catholic education from elementary school to college. Thank you again for this opportunity for our family to be a very special part of the Saint Vincent College community.”
The Dunlap family also has made a significant gift to establish the Dunlap Family Institute for Teaching and Learning, which will occupy the top level of the new Rhodora and John Donahue Hall. The three-story state-of-the-art facility will house Saint Vincent College’s Department of Nursing and is expected to open shortly after the new year.
Student Government Association President Katelyn Pippin, a senior organismal biology major from Indian Lake, Ohio, lauded the Dunlap Center as a space for students with a variety of interests to convene.
“The way this building facilitates the connection between physical activity and students’ overall well-being is a true investment in the Saint Vincent experience,” she said. “On behalf of the student body, I would like to thank the Dunlap family and all contributors for this generous contribution to the students of Saint Vincent College.”
Emerson Peffer, a junior early childhood education (PreK-4) major from Harmony and member of the College’s women’s basketball team, noted the facility represents Saint Vincent’s commitment to its student-athletes.
“The Dunlap Center enhances everyday student-athlete experiences by giving us a high-quality space to train, practice, compete, recover and build stronger relationships with our teammates,” she said, pointing out that the facility has already hosted a variety of youth basketball camps. “The benefits this facility brings to all teams on campus are crucial to our overall achievement, development and bonding. The Dunlap Center brings not only student-athletes, but also students, coaches, professors and the community, together. We can support one another and represent the shared values we all possess.”
Plans for the multipurpose indoor complex were initially announced in February 2022. Funding for the project came in part from a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in addition to various donors, including the Dunlap family, the Kilkeary family and the Steelers.
The facility was created not just for students living on campus, but also commuters, youth sports programs and the community at large, all of which were included in the feedback process during early phases of the project.
Other highlights include a fitness room with cardio and circuit training equipment; a recreational track; and multipurpose instruction rooms for yoga, Pilates and other fitness classes. The building features Kara’s Healthy Café, named in honor of Kara Leo, the late daughter of former Saint Vincent College interim Chief Financial Officer William Laird, C’69, H’24.
Other named spaces at the facility include the Archabbot Douglas Field House, Dolan Family Cardio Room, Kilkeary Family Field, Class of ’77 Court, Bendel Court, Citrone Terrace and the Huntington Conference Room.
Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed complimentary samples from the Café, including smoothies, protein bites and other favorites. Guests were able to tour the facility, connect with fellow members of the Saint Vincent community, and enjoy yard games and other activities to help kick off 2026 Homecoming and Fall Family Weekend.
