E-Lumine

April 13, 2007

Articles in this issue:

Summers Gyym remodeling begins - [ Article Below ]

Phonathon adds alumni supporters - [ Article Below ]

Pace quickens as end of year nears - [ Article Below ]

Order new book about the Bryan story now - [ Article Below ]

Summers Gyym remodeling begins

    Architect's rendering of the remodeled Summers Gymnasium.
     Construction of a two-story locker room/office complex at Summers Gymnasium is about to begin, with a change from original plans because of what preconstruction investigations found, Vice President of Operations Tim Hostetler said.
     The new facilities will be added to the south side of the gym, opposite the new athletic training room rather than on the current front. Mr. Hostetler said as architects were planning the project they discovered soil conditions under the front of the gym that would not support the new construction.
     Plans call for the current office area to be converted to a fitness area that will include a weight room, cardio fitness area, a station exercise room, a laundry and a uniform storage area, with a new façade added to give the gym an appearance compatible with other campus buildings. Existing locker rooms and public restrooms will also be renovated, and a concession stand will be built on the mezzanine level.
     The new area on the south side of the gym will include locker rooms for Bryan’s teams and private offices for the coaches of each sport.
     These additions to the gym will complete a major upgrade of athletics facilities begun last summer with construction of a practice gymnasium adjacent to the maintenance building and the addition of an athletic training facility at Summers Gymnasium.
     “With the growth of our student body and the addition of baseball and cross country/track in the past few years, the need for these improvements has become critical,” Mr. Hostetler said. “We’re already seeing the benefits of the new practice gym and athletic training room and these upgrades will relieve pressures on the coaching staff and athletics department.”
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Phonathon adds alumni supporters

     Bryan’s spring phonathon accomplished its two main goals—adding alumni to the list of those who actively support Bryan College and raising money for scholarships, Vice President for Advancement Robert F. Davis said.Senior Joann Olson asks an alumn for support.
     “This time we called only alumni who have never given to their alma mater, asking them to help us with both their dollars and the simple fact that they gave,” he said. “It’s very important to foundations and to many donors who are able to give large amounts to know that alumni truly support their school. The number of alumni donors is a concrete measure of that support.”
     In three nights of calling, a total of 23 callers received pledges from 83 alumni. In addition, five alumni sent in gifts in response to a letter explaining the phonathon for a total of 88 new donors. In all, $2,300 was pledged to the scholarship fund.
     “It’s significant that we have this additional support now,” Mr. Davis said. “We are working hard to raise the money needed to build the new entrance to the college, to complete construction of Mercer Hall’s third floor and we’re looking ahead to projects such as the new athletics/fitness center. We will be approaching several sources for funding for those projects and alumni support will be a critical component of our request.
     “In the last fiscal year only 7 percent of Bryan alumni supported their alma mater financially. These new donors will help raise that figure some, but it’s important that we continue to raise the number of alumni supporters. We do appreciate this step.”
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Pace quickens as end of year nears

     The traditional Junior-Senior banquet on March 30 sent a sure signal that the end of the school year is just around the corner.
     In addition to the papers and projects due before classes end on April 27, students will hear a spokesman for the Interfaith Stewardship Alliance and will participate in Honors Day chapels on April 23 and 25.
     Dr. E. Cal Beisner, associate professor of historical theology and social ethics at Knox Theological Seminary in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., will speak on a biblical response to environmental stewardship, including the issue of global warming on April 11.
     Honors Day chapels will recognize scholarship recipients, academic and departmental award winners, and faculty and staff service achievements. On April 23, the advancement department will host a luncheon for scholarship donors, giving them an opportunity to meet the students who benefit from their generosity.
     Following senior chapel on April 27, seniors will leave for the annual senior trip while the rest of the student body takes final exams the next week. During that week, the operations staff will prepare the Triangle for graduation, scheduled for May 5 at 9:30 a.m.
     Graduation weekend will open with registration for the reunion of the Golden Graduates, members of the Class of 1957, on Friday afternoon. At 7 that night the seniors will present their Vespers service, a time of looking back at their four years at Bryan and honoring their parents and teachers.
     The week after graduation, Minimester will begin, offering students the opportunity to earn a semester’s credit for one class in three weeks.
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Order new book about the Bryan story now

     If you're a Bryan alumnus, this limited-edition, coffee-table picture book is 2007’s must-own addition to your library. The school's history, rich tradition and unique culture come to life through personal stories, stunning illustration and gorgeous photography.
     If you’re a friend of the college, even though you didn’t attend, you will want this book as well. The Bryan story has been made possible in part by friends who have grown to love the school and this will be a keepsake for friends as well.
     For yourself or as a gift, this is a book to cherish, a book to share with family and friends, a book that will remind everyone why Bryan College is such a special place of unity, family and Christian tradition.
     For more information or to order your copy now, visit http://bryan.thebooksmithgroup.com.
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