The White House on the Hill: Inside Towson University’s Newman Center
For decades, a large white farmhouse sitting directly across York Road from Stephens Hall has served as a familiar fixture for college students managing the demands of higher education. Affectionately known as the “White House on the Hill,” the Towson University Newman Center provides a dedicated physical space where young adults can pray, study, rest, learn, and grow in community. The building and its chapel remain open throughout the week, offering a reprieve from academic pressures through quiet rooms, communal spaces, a kitchen, and a lawn.
The facility operates as more than just a campus ministry building. Throughout any given day, students utilize the house to complete homework, share meals, play games, take naps, and participate in Bible studies. Administrative offices occupy the second floor, where staff members regularly meet with students for guidance and conversation.
Daily Life and Ministry at the Newman Center
The daily rhythm of the Newman Center is sustained by a dedicated team of campus ministers, staff, volunteers, and FOCUS missionaries who accompany students across their college years. Among the four FOCUS missionaries serving at Towson University is Brian Casey. After rediscovering his Catholic faith as a college student himself, Casey felt called to invest directly in the lives of other young adults. His work involves leading Bible studies, holding one-on-one meetings, sharing meals, and spending time on campus to help students encounter Christ.
Casey’s ministry brings him into contact with students arriving with diverse perspectives—some searching for direction, others carrying questions about faith, and many feeling disconnected from the Church. Father Mike Misulia guides this evangelizing effort as chaplain, viewing the college years as a formative time when young adults make important decisions regarding their faith, future, and place in the world. Through prayer, the sacraments, and pastoral guidance, Father Misulia assists students in discerning their paths.
Sustaining Campus Ministry for Future Students
The reach of campus ministry at Towson extends well beyond a student’s graduation date. Friendships formed, faith nurtured, and lessons learned through prayer, service, and discipleship remain with students long after graduation. Financial support from faithful donors helps sustain the Newman Center’s mission, ensuring that future generations of young adults continue to have opportunities to encounter Christ, grow in their faith, and discover how God is calling them to serve others.
