19 Dec 2012 VISION 2020 Campaign tops $10 million; plans announced for new library
Commitments to the Central Baptist College Vision 2020: A Miracle in the Making have topped the $10 million mark.
Vision 2020 is a plan to complete 10 major construction projects over 10 years to accommodate a student enrollment of 2020 students. In mid-November, CBC received a $1.3 million gift which put the Vision 2020 total at $10,078,865.
A major benefit of the additional $1.3 million pledge is the opportunity for the college to construct a new library facility instead of renovating the existing structure. From the beginning of the library project, CBC library staff had the benefit of their own research, of other libraries throughout the country, as well as the advice of a recognized expert in the field. Several key elements were identified to create a facility that would meet the needs of students for years to come.
According to CBC President Terry Kimbrow, “The construction of a new facility enables more of these identified benefits to be incorporated,” said Kimbrow. “The consensus from every standpoint was new construction, if possible, was clearly a preferable approach and the most efficient use of our resources.”
A new, two-story building will be built on the current site of the administration/library building once demolition of the current structure takes place, and will be just over 16,000 square feet. Construction will begin early in 2013. Features that were to be included in the renovation and expansion will be included in the new building, but the configuration of the space will allow a more efficient use of the building. Preliminary layout includes library staff offices, learning commons, 30-plus computer workstations, multimedia classroom, café and café seating area, Ronald V. Mitchell Archives, science resource center, music listening lab, media curriculum center, conference rooms, group and private study rooms and book stacks. Floor plans, outside elevation and naming opportunities are being developed and will be available in the coming weeks.
The mission statement of Central Baptist College calls for the integration of Christian faith and academic excellence . . . in a Christ-focused environment.
“That, I believe, can only be accomplished as we continue to improve the campus learning environment,” Kimbrow said. “We are here to facilitate ‘life change’ in both the minds and hearts of our students. Vision 2020 is simply a plan to help us as we strive to accomplish our mission.”
CBC launched Phase 1 of Vision 2020 in February 2011 with a $12 million goal to fund the three construction projects. The first project in Vision 2020 was the construction of the David T. Watkins Academic Building which was completed earlier this year. The library project is the second, followed by the construction of a new residence hall.
