A million-dollar challenge gift will allow Bryan College to break ground on its new entrance in January 2009, and aggressively pursue other projects in its Vision 2020 campus development plan.

President Livesay announced Oct. 8, that alumnus Brett Landes, a Dallas, Texas, businessman, pledged the money during his visit to campus for homecoming.

The new entrance will link the Bryan campus to U.S. 27 about a half mile north of the U.S. 27-State Route 30 intersection. The college already has purchased the needed property and secured the required federal and state permits for the entrance.

Vision 2020 includes plans for construction of buildings to house the Bryan Center for Critical Thought and Practice, a performing arts theatre, an athletics and convention center and administrative facilities on the western side of the campus which will be opened for development with completion of the entrance.

Mr. Landes is a 1982 business administration graduate who was inducted into the college’s Athletics Hall of Fame during homecoming. Mr. Landes said of his time at Bryan, “I’m very appreciative of the education and the grounding I got here, and all the relationships.”

Dr. Livesay said the college would hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of the construction project in January, and a second on April 17, when former presidential speechwriter Michael Gerson visits Bryan for a lecture. The project is expected to be completed by the time school opens in August, with a dedication service planned for homecoming in October 2009.

Hundreds of alumni returned to Bryan Oct. 3-5 for Homecoming, a celebration highlighted by honors to alumni and friends and a challenge to "march up the road" at Homecoming '09.

Marine Maj.Gen. Mastin Robeson. '76, and his wife, Nancy (Nofsinger), '74, were honored as Alumni of the Year, recognizing their service to our country and support for Bryan.

See pictures of Homecoming here.

Long-time trustee Barry Whitney of Augusta, Ga., was made an honorary alumnus of the college during the trustee meeting Thursday and Friday of Homecoming week.

Nearly 100 former Greek students returned to campus Saturday for "My Big Fat Greek Luncheon" to honor long-time Greek professor Dr. John Anderson.

Three men, David Willson, '90; Matt Landes, '82; and Brett Landes, '83, were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing their leadership on the field and court and in the years since graduating.

Alumni Director David Tromanhauser introduced two of the lions that will stand guard over the new entrance, and encouraged alumni to support that project "so we can march together up the road at Homecoming next year."

The Bryan Music Department will present “Elijah,” Felix Mendelssohn’s most famous oratorio, in a fully staged performance Nov. 14 and 15 in Rudd Auditorium.

Dr. Mel Wilhoit, who will direct, said the oratorio generally is presented in concert format, “but we follow a long-standing but rare tradition of staging it, with costumes and scenery.”

While the story is based on the biblical account of Elijah, it focuses primarily on the people of Israel and their vacillation between loyalty to Jehovah or Baal. “The chorus plays the role of the people, where some are committed to following Jehovah, some to following Baal, and the great mass is noncommittal,” he said.

“There is a strong spiritual emphasis as well as great choral music,” Dr. Wilhoit said. “This piece is relevant in a trying time as an encouragement to rely on God.”

The role of Elijah will be sung by Dr. David Luther. Mrs. Kim Keck will sing the role of a priestess and alumni Ryan Traub and Kelly Luther Stultz will sing the parts of Obadiah and Jezebell, respectively. Student Micah Pepper will sing the roles of a prophetess and an angel, and the Women’s Chorus will sing the part of angels. A 35-piece professional orchestra will provide the accompaniment.

Admission is free, but Dr. Wilhoit said tickets—providing preferred seating—are recommended. Tickets may be reserved until Nov. 7, by calling the music office at 423-775-7498 or by emailing music@bryan.edu.

Dr. Michael Kazin, author of a recent biography of William Jennings Bryan, will speak at Bryan College in March during the college’s Heritage Week celebration.

Dr. Kazin’s A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan, published in 2007, is the first comprehensive look at the secretary of state and three-time presidential candidate in 40 years. The New Yorker magazine said of the book, “In this powerful, timely reevaluation, Kazin argues that Bryan's faith-based liberalism reshaped the Democratic Party and made the New Deal possible.”

The 2009 Heritage Week, March 23-27, will feature a close look at the college’s namesake with Dr. Kazin’s lecture on March 23, and a student-led presentation on Bryan’s life and Christian testimony on March 25.

“I believe Dr. Kazin will challenge our students to consider in a deeper way the influence of William Jennings Bryan on the early 20^th century as well as America of today,” said Tom Davis, chairman of the Heritage Week planning committee. “Mr. Bryan is a great example of how an individual can have a significant impact on public life and maintain a strong Christian testimony. In today’s political climate, I think that’s an important lesson for all of us to learn.”