The Benedictine University community celebrates the legacy of Abbot Hugh Anderson, OSB, (1938-2023) with the dedication of a new holy water font in St. Benedict Chapel. Abbot Hugh completed his service as superior of St. Procopius Abbey in 2002, and a year later he took charge of Campus Ministry at Benedictine University. He continued in that position until the American Cassinese Congregation chose him as their Abbot President in 2010.
As campus minister, he was a strong advocate for finding a more suitable and central location for a University chapel, and he more than once suggested that the former “main reading room” in Lownik Hall would be ideal for the purpose. The building itself has a storied history. The groundbreaking for Lownik Hall took place on October 17, 1959, four months after Abbot Hugh took his monastic vows. Named in 1969 for Theodore Lownik, former Chair of the Board of Trustees, the building was intened to replace the library located in the basement of the former Benedictine Hall. After the library collections moved to Kindlon Hall in 2001, Lownik Hall housed various administrative offices.
At last, in 2024 Abbot Hugh’s dreams were realized with the relocation of St. Benedict Chapel and Campus Ministry to this building. To honor Abbot Hugh’s role and advocacy, David Rausch, PhD, Professor Emeritus, commissioned a stoneware holy water font from Brother Kevin Coffey, OSB. A long time teacher of fine arts, Brother Kevin took his monastic vows before Abbot Hugh in 2001. He chose Scriptural themes of water and baptism, signifying life and renewal, for the font. The Noah figure depicted bears the face of Abbot Hugh, a permanent tribute to his vision and service.
