McPherson College received a $2 million grant from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation. The grant will be directed toward construction of the new Campus Commons. The Mabee Foundation grant comes following last year’s completion of the Building Community comprehensive campaign, which generated $64 million to support campus infrastructure improvements and educational initiatives, such as the Student Debt Project, student scholarships, health sciences, automotive restoration, and other academic growth areas.
The Building Community campaign is the catalyst of the college’s largest-ever investment in new buildings and sets McPherson College on the path of becoming one of the best small colleges in the country.
“This grant represents the generosity of the Mabee Foundation, along with our community of supporters whose gifts enabled the college to secure the funds necessary to achieve the challenge grant,” McPherson College President Michael Schneider said. “We are extremely grateful to the Mabee Foundation for their dedicated partnership over the years. They have been instrumental in supporting building projects at McPherson College.”
Major gifts from California philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist, Sodexo, the Dalke Charitable Foundation, Peoples Bank and Trust, and a significant anonymous donor propelled McPherson College to reach the challenge grant goal. Construction is underway on the new Campus Commons with a completion target of 2025. The new structure will be the most prominent building on the McPherson campus, serving students, employees, and community members. While the 55,000-square-foot building will provide a state-of-the-art event venue, student services hub, and place to grab a bite to eat, other campus building projects are online to further enhance the McPherson College student experience.
The expansion and remodeling of the current Sport Center athletic facility is scheduled for completion in February. The project includes adding over 4,500 square feet to the original facility and renovating another 2,000 square feet of existing space. The expansion includes an additional weight room, athletic training area, and offices. The renovation consists of installing new lockers, updating restrooms, and adding storage space.
Work started on the Boiler House this fall. The Boiler House is a new café in the middle of campus that will have indoor and outdoor seating and serve as an additional late-night dining option. The project is an imaginative reuse of an existing utility building — a 1940s-era brick structure, which housed McPherson College’s main boilers for over 70 years. When completed, it will create an entirely new campus gathering point providing space for socializing and collaborating.