AU launches labyrinth ambassador program to inspire reflection on campus and in the community

Nestled in the southeast corner of campus next to the Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action is a labyrinth. The landmark, dedicated in 2017 as a gift from the Class of 1967, follows a classical seven-circuit design to represent completeness, giving campus and community members a place to step away from distractions, center themselves, and reflect on what matters most.

The Aurora University Labyrinth - featured on the World-Wide Labyrinth Locator and one of only a handful of permanent outdoor labyrinths at Illinois colleges and universities - is open year-round and invites students and community members alike to experience the space whenever they need a moment for reflection.

"It's not associated with any particular religion, so anyone, regardless of their faith background, can come experience it and enjoy the benefits. It's a very versatile space - in fact, I have held both a memorial service and wedding ceremony on our labyrinth," said University Chaplain Mark Woolfington.

As the university prepares to celebrate the AU Labyrinth's 10th anniversary, campus leaders saw an opportunity to expand the space's impact even further. With an office window that faces what he calls a "campus gem," Justin West, executive director of the Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action, believed the landmark deserved an even larger presence.

He and Woolfington partnered with Schingoethe Center staff Natasha Ritsma and Zach Bishop - building on the museum's existing campus art tours, which had already introduced more than 1,500 West Aurora School District students to the labyrinth since 2025 - to develop the Labyrinth Ambassador program.

The initiative gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills; represent AU at campus and community events; explore holistic wellness, the arts, and spirituality; and earn certification as professional labyrinth facilitators.

As part of the program, ambassadors will plan and lead experiences for campus and community members. They will be "tasked with developing programming to host groups at the labyrinth, whether that's a class, student organization, athletic team, or other local group in the community," explained Woolfington.

That flexibility of the labyrinth is part of what excites the inaugural ambassadors about the program.

"We aren't confined to one type of walk or one kind of workshop, but instead can open campus and the greater community to a variety of new experiences," said Thea Denk '27. "AU isn't just one culture, one religious affiliation, or one kind of major. It's full of different people and perspectives, and embracing those differences is part of what makes our community unique."

To prepare for their new roles, the inaugural group of Labyrinth Ambassadors traveled to Indiana in July for the 2026 Labyrinth Summer School, hosted by Veriditas, a nonprofit organization that trains and supports labyrinth ambassadors globally. Through three days of trainings and workshops, students studied labyrinth history and design, facilitation techniques, reflective practices, and practical business aspects involved in labyrinths. The group returned as certified labyrinth facilitators, ready for their next two years serving as ambassadors to the AU Labyrinth.

For Rachel Groff '28, the training reinforced that there is no single way someone should experience a labyrinth.

"Some feel more moved by it and experience a spiritual connection, while others simply enjoy walking meditation," she explained. "After discovering that there is no 'wrong' way to experience the labyrinth, I now feel a lot more confident in my role as a facilitator."

That openness will guide the ambassadors as they begin putting their training into practice at AU, helping participants discover how the labyrinth can best serve them.

"I want to be able to guide people and help them find what they need out of the labyrinth," said Ashe Villabroza '29. "The labyrinth is a tool that can be used for free, and it is available to anyone at any time."

The ambassadors also returned with ideas for extending labyrinth experiences beyond the physical landmark, from incorporating music into guided walks to creating portable finger labyrinths that can be used as focusing and stress-relief tools across campus.

When asked about his vision for the future, West shared, "I want the labyrinth to be not just a feature on the global map but known locally as a place where the AU community can bring people together from across campus and the broader community - from businesses, churches, schools, and care facilities - to have an experience that will center them and help them along their path."