Opened in fall 2006, Crimi Auditorium in the Institute for Collaboration provided Aurora University the ability to congregate as a university community for the first time. The auditorium at 407 S. Calumet Ave. in Aurora includes 500 seats on the floor and balcony, a state-of-the-art audio visual system, and 1,230-pipe organ installed in 2010.
The facility was dedicated on Oct. 6, 2006, during Homecoming weekend. The auditorium is named in recognition of service by the late Dr. James E. Crimi, Aurora College (AC) president from 1962 to 1973, and his wife, Pauline.
A 1938 AC graduate, Crimi served the college for more than 30 years as a professor, registrar, dean, executive vice president and president. He and his wife, Pauline, AC '42, became active leaders in the Advent Christian Church as well as in the charitable and business life of the Aurora community.
Honored posthumously with AC's Distinguished Alumnus Award, Crimi's legacy has been ensured through the James E. Crimi Memorial Scholarship Program and dedication of the auditorium.
The 68,000-square-foot Institute for Collaboration was constructed in 2005 as the centerpiece of AU's 10-year development plan. The facility houses a partnership school with West Aurora School District 129, AU's College of Education, and the Read With Me Foundation and Communities In Schools community organizations. The Institute also houses college classrooms, computer laboratories, offices and Crimi Auditorium.
In August 2010, the university completed installation of a 1,230-pipe, custom-designed organ in Crimi Auditorium that will expand AU's growing music program and live performance offerings. The organ, which was funded by an anonymous gift of $200,000 and more than 100 other smaller gifts from donors in 30 states, was constructed by Létourneau Organs of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Dedication of the organ — named Opus 119 — took place in October during Homecoming 2010 weekend on the Aurora campus.
