09/22/2026
✨ A space for gathering, connecting and growing together. 💛🖤
The Gathering Area between the Alumni Dining Hall and our high school classroom wing recently got a much-needed update—and our students are already putting the new space to good use!
This space is used for class activities, art displays, events and, most importantly, the everyday moments when students gather, connect and build community. For years, old carpet and a lack of comfortable seating made it difficult for the space to fully serve that purpose. Now, it’s been transformed into a welcoming place for students and groups to learn, create and spend time together.
This project began with the LM Classes of 2022 and 2023, who chose to designate their class gifts toward furnishing the Gathering Area because they believed it would make a meaningful difference in the student experience. The Fransen Family Foundation and an anonymous donor then helped bring their vision across the finish line. We are so grateful for everyone who helped make this space possible!
A special thank-you to Benjamin Roberts Ltd Office Interiors for guiding us through the furniture design and purchasing process. We’re especially grateful for your partnership and connection to LM as an alumni-owned business, along with the many LM alumni who are part of your team: Rob Bomberger Jr. ’87, Gary Martin ’87, Darrel Harnish ’85, Jon Snader ’13, Chris Landis ’98 and Merv Zeager ’81 Lancaster Mennonite School Alumni.
Thank you to everyone who invested in this space and, ultimately, in the students who use it. We can’t wait to see all the ways this Gathering Area continues to bring our community together! 💛🖤
